Vineyard Wind released an update today about ongoing discussions with the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on the project’s delayed issuance of a federal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS):
“Vineyard Wind has met with officials from the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and learned that BOEM is continuing its review of the potential impacts of the project before releasing the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). Vineyard Wind notes that it is not unusual for there to be ongoing review of an EIS as it makes its way through the internal approval process, especially for a project of this significance.
“The National Environmental Policy Act requires an EIS to consider all best available information, which we believe BOEM has done. We are therefore confident that any remaining reviews can be concluded and an FEIS released soon after. Through all of our communications with government officials, it has been made clear to us that there was no intention to prevent the Vineyard Wind 1 project from moving forward.
“Vineyard Wind has communicated to BOEM that for a variety of reasons, it would be very challenging to move forward the Vineyard Wind 1 project in its current configuration if the final EIS is not issued within, approximately, the next four to six weeks. BOEM has indicated they understand the reasons for this constraint and will communicate this to the Secretary of the Interior, who is responsible for final action on this project. Vineyard Wind has also communicated to the Secretary directly about its concerns regarding the delay.
Many stakeholders ranging from business organizations, small business owners, local construction unions, project area residents, and elected officials from all levels of government have reached out to us in recent days to reaffirm their support for the Vineyard Wind project. This broad support has only increased our already high level of commitment, and confidence in the timely completion of this important energy project.”
Filed Under: News, Offshore wind, Policy, Projects