The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed a supplement to its draft environmental analysis of the proposed Vineyard Wind I offshore energy project and is requesting public comment.
Vineyard Wind is proposing an 800MW wind energy project offshore Massachusetts. The proposed project would be located approximately 12 nautical miles offshore Martha's Vineyard and 12 nautical miles offshore Nantucket in the northern portion of its lease area.
BOEM published a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Vineyard Wind I project in December 2018 and received comments from a wide variety of stakeholders. Those comments prompted BOEM to develop a Supplement to the Draft EIS, which expanded its cumulative activities scenario for offshore wind development beyond what was considered in the DEIS. This expanded scenario includes all named wind projects and state demand that can be met with existing leases. It also considers previously unavailable fishing data, a new transit lane alternative, and changes to the Construction and Operations Plan.
During the public comment period, BOEM will conduct five live, virtual public meetings where the public can learn more about the review process, EIS schedule, potential impacts and proposed mitigations of the proposed project, and ask questions as well as provide oral testimony. The virtual meeting room will be available throughout the 45-day comment period and will include a copy of the SEIS, fact sheets, posters, pre-recorded presentations, and the opportunity to submit questions and comments to BOEM.
