The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a draft Clean Air Act Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) air quality permit for Southcoast Wind LLC, a new offshore wind farm project. The proposed permit allows for the construction and operation of the facility in federal waters south of Nantucket, Massachusetts.

This development aligns with other federal reviews and approvals, including the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash stated, "When built, the Southcoast Wind project will contribute up to 2.4 gigawatts of energy – powering over 1 million homes." He added that New England is leading in clean energy initiatives, promoting clean tech jobs and benefiting communities burdened by air pollution.

The public comment period for this draft permit is open from November 15, 2024, to January 6, 2025. Interested parties can submit comments via https://www.regulations.gov using Docket ID #EPA-R01-OAR-2024-0393. A public hearing is scheduled at 6:00 p.m. EST on December 18th, 2024.

OCS Air Regulations outlined in 40 CFR part 55 dictate air pollution control requirements for offshore wind facilities. The project's main emission sources are compression-ignition internal combustion engines on vessels operating as OCS sources and generator engines on offshore substation platforms and wind turbine generators. Additional emission units have been reviewed for best achievable control technologies.

Further details about permits and supporting materials are available on EPA's website.