US regulators release key environmental study for 800 MW Vineyard Wind project off the coast of Massachusetts

US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed a Supplement to its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the proposed Vineyard Wind 1 Offshore Energy Project. BOEM will publish a Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register in the near future, which will open a 45-day public comment period.

The SEIS analyzes reasonably foreseeable effects from an expanded cumulative activities scenario for offshore wind development. It also considers previously unavailable fishing data, a new transit lane alternative, and changes to the Construction and Operations Plan since the publication of the Draft EIS. This supplement was informed by comments from a wide variety of stakeholders including state and local governments, federal agencies, industry, and the public.

There will be an opportunity to comment on the Supplement to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. BOEM will notify all stakeholders – including federal, state, and local agencies, elected officials, fishing communities, and the public when the Supplemental EIS is available for public comment. BOEM will also hold public meetings during the comment period.

The offshore wind project is owned by the partnership of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and Avangrid Renewables LLC.