The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced on Thursday plans to initiate the environmental review of a proposed 2.4GW offshore wind energy project off the coast of Massachusetts, US.
The bureau said in a statement that it will this week publish a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the construction plan proposed by Beacon Wind, a 50:50 partnership between oil giants Equinor and BP.
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The project will be the 11th offshore wind energy review initiated under the Biden-Harris administration. BOEM director Elizabeth Klein said: “The bureau is advancing [the government’s] ambitious energy goals while remaining diligent in our efforts to avoid, minimise and mitigate impacts to ocean users and the marine environment.”
“As part of our environmental review process, we seek input from local tribes, our government partners, the fishing community and other ocean users to inform our next steps,” she added.
The lease area for the proposed project lies approximately 17 nautical miles (nm) south of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and approximately 52nm east of Montauk, New York. If approved, the development and construction phases of the Beacon Wind project could support an estimated 6,491 jobs.
According to proposals, the project will see the installation of up to 155 wind turbines, up to two offshore substation platforms and up to two offshore export cables. These would make landfall in Astoria, New York, and Waterford, Connecticut.
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By GlobalDataPresident of Equinor Renewables Americas Molly Morris said of the BOEM’s announcement: “The NOI marks a significant milestone in Beacon Wind’s path towards regulatory approval. It also initiates a public review period that provides an important opportunity to gather feedback as the project progresses.
“Beacon Wind 1 will… be a significant driver of economic development in the region. We will continue to closely engage with federal officials, state regulators and a wide range of interested stakeholders as we work together to advance one of the largest offshore wind projects in the US.”
In 2021, the BOEM issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an impact statement for the construction of a similar offshore wind project off the coast of Rhode Island, between New York and Massachusetts.
