The Department of the Interior recently announced the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) plans to conduct an environmental review of a proposed commercial-scale wind project offshore New York.
The proposal calls for 122 wind turbines that can potentially generate 880 to 1,300 megawatts of energy to power approximately 600,000 homes. The project may help New York reach 70% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
“The Interior Department is committed to confronting climate change, creating thousands of good-paying jobs, and paving the way for the nation’s transition to a cleaner energy future,” DOI Secretary Deb Haaland said. “Offshore wind is a critical component of that ambitious agenda. The demand for offshore wind energy has never been greater — we will continue to invest in the infrastructure to develop the offshore wind industry and to help attract the domestic supply chain.”
The proposed location is in federal waters approximately 31 miles east of Montauk, New York; 19 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts; and 17 miles from Block Island, Rhode Island.
The public can share their thoughts on the project during a 30-day public comment period. During this period, the bureau hopes to identify issues, significant resources, potential environmental impacts, alternatives, and mitigation measures that could impact the project.
The comment period will close at 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, Sept. 30. The comments will be accepted through U.S. mail, Regulations.gov, and during three virtual meetings on Thursday, Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m. EST, Monday, Sept. 20 at 1:00 p.m. EST, and Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 5:30 p.m. EST, according to a Interior Department press release.
