Announcements
- Call for Abstracts: State of the Science 2026
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Environmental Technical Working Group (E-TWG) is hosting the next State of the Science meeting on Offshore Energy, Wildlife, and Fisheries from June 8-11, 2026 on Long Island, New York. The theme of the 2026 conference is “Building on a Strong Foundation: Deepening Knowledge and Finding Collaborative Solutions.” Proposals for side meetings, symposia, and abstracts for oral and poster presentations are being accepted through December 12, 2025. More information on the conference and abstract submission can be found here.
- Request for Public Comment on the Draft Regional Standards for Offshore Wind Project-Level Monitoring
The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) seeks public comment on the Draft Regional Standards for the Offshore Wind Project-Level Monitoring, or monitoring standards. These are the recommended regional monitoring standards for evaluating the effects of fixed-foundation offshore wind development. The monitoring standards focus on the Mid-Atlantic Bight and Southern New England portions of the Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf ecosystem. They’re meant to guide the planning and implementation of monitoring programs. Monitoring programs will evaluate the effects of fixed-foundation offshore wind development on the marine ecosystem including protected species, fisheries, hydrodynamics and oceanography, and socio-economic. The deadline to provide feedback is November 3, 2025. More information can be found here.
- Substation Installed at Ørstead’s new US Offshore Wind Farm
The offshore substation (OSS) for the Sunrise Wind Project, a new offshore wind farm Ørsted is building off the coast of New York, has been installed and is now undergoing commissioning work. The OSS was installed by Saipem’s heavy lift installation vessel Saipem 7000 in the first half of September. Sunrise Wind is the first offshore wind project in the US to use a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) system, which is being delivered by Siemens Energy and Aker Solutions under a contract with the developer signed in 2021. More information can be found here.
- Register for the 2026 Northeast Cooperative Research Summit
The Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s (NEFSC) Cooperative Research Brach is partnering with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Program to host the 2026 Northeast Cooperative Research Summit in Riverhead, New York on February 26, 2026. This one-day event will bring together scientists, fishermen, managers, and fishing community representatives to present on new or recently completed cooperative research projects. The deadline for registration is November 7, 2025. More information can be found here.
- Federal Judge Allows Construction to Resume on Revolution Wind
A federal judge ruled that the Revolution Wind offshore wind project can resume construction. Work on the project had been paused since August 22, 2025 when the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a stop-work order based on national security concerns. Construction on Revolution Wind was approximately 80 percent complete and fully permitted at the time of the stop-work order. More information can be found here.
- New Paper on Cooling Water Use at Offshore Converter Stations
The New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) has published a new technical report which provides an overview of cooling water systems at offshore converter stations, with a particular focus on applications in offshore wind energy development in the New York Bight region. It is designed to serve as an informational resource for stakeholders involved in offshore wind development, including developers, regulators, environmental organizations, and other interested parties who have a baseline understanding of marine infrastructure but may not be familiar with cooling water systems specifically. The paper can be found here.
- Upcoming Workshop for Offshore Research on September 22
The Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative (RWSC) and Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA) are hosting a workshop open to anyone interested in learning more about new offshore fisheries and wildlife research projects and data collection in U.S. Atlantic waters funded to begin in late 2025/early 2026. RWSC, ROSA and several other funders have been meeting together to understand the full breadth of newly-funded projects – to date they’ve identified over 60 new projects from about a dozen funders! Registration and more information are available here and researchers wanting to share their work are invited to send their slides to [email protected] by September 18. The meeting will be held virtually via zoom on September 22, 2025 at 1:00PM EST.
- New Free Training Course for Boaters and Whale Safety
A new 30-minute course was created by the Nature Conservancy in New York to help boaters to identify whales, recognize signs that indicate the presence of whales, reduce the risks of vessel strikes and entanglements, follow safe and lawful boating practices in the presence of whales, and how to report sightings, injuries, and entanglements. The course can be found here.
- Trump Administration to Revoke Approval for Maryland Offshore Wind
The Department of the Interior has revoked federal approval for the Maryland Wind (MarWin) offshore wind project, a 300 MW development planned off Maryland’s coast near Ocean City. This marks the first instance of the Trump administration canceling an already-approved offshore wind project. The Interior Secretary cited “inadequate consultation with local communities” and “insufficient consideration of impacts on tourism and fishing industries” as reasons for the decision. The project, being developed by US Wind, had received its Record of Decision in January 2025 and was scheduled to begin construction later this year. US Wind stated it is “evaluating all legal options” and emphasized that the project had undergone extensive environmental review and stakeholder engagement over several years. More information can be found here.
- Northeast Fisheries Science Center Surveys Wind Energy Areas
The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) has launched a comprehensive survey initiative to assess fish populations within and around offshore wind development areas along the Atlantic coast. Despite recent policy changes affecting wind energy development, NOAA Fisheries is proceeding with this scientific work to establish critical baseline data before, during, and after construction activities. The survey employs multiple vessels and methodologies, including the research vessel Henry B. Bigelow for standard trawl surveys and several chartered commercial fishing vessels conducting specialized sampling in areas inaccessible to larger research ships. Dr. Emily Markowitz, lead scientist for the project, emphasized that “regardless of the pace of offshore wind development, we need robust scientific data to understand potential impacts on marine ecosystems and fisheries resources.” The initiative includes expanded sampling stations within lease areas, enhanced monitoring of species migration patterns, and collaborative research with the fishing industry. The survey results will be publicly available through NOAA’s regional data portals and will inform future management decisions regardless of how offshore wind policy evolves. More information can be found here.
- Revolution Wind Receives Offshore Stop Work Order
Ørsted has announced that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has issued a temporary stop work order for offshore construction activities at the Revolution Wind project, a 704 MW offshore wind farm being developed off the coast of Rhode Island. The order, which took effect immediately, cites the need for “additional review of environmental impacts on commercial fishing operations” in the project area. Onshore construction activities are permitted to continue. Ørsted and its partner Eversource expressed disappointment with the decision, noting that the project had already undergone extensive environmental review and stakeholder consultation over a five-year period before receiving its federal approval in January 2025. The companies stated they are working closely with BOEM to address the concerns raised and hope to resume offshore activities “as soon as possible” to minimize impacts to the project schedule. Revolution Wind is slated to provide 400 MW of clean energy to Rhode Island and 304 MW to Connecticut under existing power purchase agreements. This marks the third major U.S. offshore wind project to face regulatory setbacks in recent weeks, following similar orders affecting projects in New York and Maryland. More information can be found here.
- Trump Administration Redacts Entire Empire Wind Study
The Trump administration has released a completely redacted version of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) study that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum cited as justification for halting construction on the Empire Wind I project off New York’s coast earlier this year. The 27-page document, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by POLITICO’s E&E News, contains no visible findings despite being referenced by Burgum when he claimed the Biden administration “rushed approval” of the project based on “flawed science.” Interior cited “deliberative process privilege” to withhold the entire content. The construction stoppage, which lasted about a month before being lifted in May 2025, reportedly cost Equinor tens of millions of dollars and contributed to a $955 million financial hit to the company. The administration’s handling of the report has raised questions about transparency and created additional uncertainty for offshore wind developers and investors. E&E News has appealed the decision to withhold the study’s contents. More information can be found here.
- Martha’s Vineyard’s Benefits Agreement with Vineyard Wind Made Public
After years of confidentiality, the host community agreement between Martha’s Vineyard towns and Vineyard Wind has been made public, revealing significant financial and community benefits for the island. The agreement, which covers the 800 MW Vineyard Wind 1 project, provides approximately $34.4 million in total benefits over the project’s 25-year lifespan, including $16 million for a community fund, $10 million for an offshore wind workforce training center, and $8.4 million in direct payments to the towns of Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown. The agreement also includes provisions for fisheries mitigation, with $19.3 million allocated to compensate commercial fishermen for potential impacts. Additional benefits include preferential hiring for island residents, a $1 million investment in marine studies, and commitments to use the Vineyard Haven port for operations and maintenance activities. The disclosure comes as the project nears completion, with 62 turbines installed and power generation expected to begin by late 2025. More information can be found here.
- Duke Energy Scraps Wind Projects Off North Carolina Coast
Duke Energy has announced the cancellation of its planned offshore wind projects off North Carolina’s coast. The move was primarily driven by financial considerations, as the request for information (RFP) process determined that offshore wind is not cost-competitive at this time. Duke Energy had previously secured lease areas capable of generating up to 1.6 gigawatts of clean energy, enough to power approximately 375,000 homes. The decision follows recent federal actions, including the Department of Interior’s halt on new offshore wind lease sales and increased scrutiny of already-approved projects. Duke Energy stated that while the company remains committed to its clean energy transition, it will now focus on other zero-carbon technologies including solar, battery storage, and small modular nuclear reactors to meet North Carolina’s carbon reduction goals. More information can be found here.
- Work Underway as Turbine Foundations Rise off Long Island
Construction is progressing on the Empire Wind 1 project, with monopile foundations now installed approximately 15-20 miles off the south shore of Long Island. The 816 MW offshore wind farm, being developed by Equinor and BP, will feature 79 turbines capable of powering over 500,000 New York homes upon completion in late 2026. Despite a temporary construction pause earlier this year due to regulatory reviews, work has resumed with installation vessels now operating in the lease area. More information can be found here.
- Recission of Renewable Energy Lease Schedule
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has officially rescinded its 2025-2026 offshore renewable energy leasing schedule, which had previously outlined plans for potential lease sales in the Gulf of Maine, Central Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico regions. This action follows the Secretary of the Interior’s July 29 directive to halt future offshore wind lease sales and is part of the administration’s broader policy shift regarding renewable energy development on federal lands and waters. The notice states that BOEM will not proceed with any previously scheduled offshore wind lease sales until further notice and after completion of a comprehensive review of the offshore wind program. The agency indicates it will develop a new approach to offshore renewable energy planning that emphasizes “enhanced consultation with affected stakeholders” including the fishing industry, coastal communities, and tribal nations. This rescission effectively pauses the expansion of new offshore wind development opportunities in U.S. federal waters while existing leases and projects already under review will continue under modified procedures. More information can be found here.
- BOEM Rescinds Designated Wind Energy Areas on the Outer Continental Shelf
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced it is rescinding all designated Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This action is being taken in accordance with Secretary’s Order (SO) 3437 – Ending Preferential Treatment for Unreliable, Foreign Controlled Energy Sources in Department Decision-Making – and the Presidential Memorandum of January 20, 2025 – Temporary Withdrawal of All Areas on the OCS from Offshore Wind Leasing and Review of the Federal Government’s Leasing and Permitting Practices for Wind Projects. WEAs were originally established to identify offshore locations deemed most suitable for wind energy development. By rescinding WEAs, BOEM is ending the federal practice of designating large areas of the OCS for speculative wind development. More information can be found here.
- First US Cable Boat for Offshore Work Starts Work
The ECO Edison, America’s first purpose-built, Jones Act-compliant offshore wind service vessel, has begun operations out of Brooklyn’s South Brooklyn Marine Terminal to service the South Fork Wind farm off Long Island. This 64-meter vessel, built by Edison Chouest Offshore at a cost of $80 million, represents a significant milestone for the domestic offshore wind industry, creating approximately 70 American maritime jobs. The vessel can transport up to 60 technicians and crew to maintain the turbines at South Fork Wind, the nation’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm. The timing of this achievement is notable as it coincides with the Trump administration’s announcement of new policies scaling back federal support for offshore wind development. Industry experts suggest the ECO Edison demonstrates the economic benefits and job creation potential of the offshore wind sector, with the vessel incorporating specialized features for the harsh Atlantic environment while providing comfortable accommodations for crews during multi-week deployments. Despite policy uncertainty, Ørsted and other developers emphasize that existing projects like South Fork Wind will continue operating and creating jobs for American maritime workers. More information can be found here.
- Department of the Interior Curbs Preferential Treatment for Wind Energy
The U.S. Secretary of the Interior announced policy measures in alignment with presidential energy directives, including halting future offshore wind lease sales, considering stopping onshore wind development on some federal lands, and studying wind turbines’ effects on migratory bird populations. The policy changes include terminating over 3.5 million acres of designated Wind Energy Areas offshore, strengthening consultation with tribes, fishing industry, and coastal communities regarding offshore wind development, and reviewing whether wind turbine impacts on birds qualify as incidental takings under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. More information can be found here.
- South Fork Wind Receives Plant of the Year Award
South Fork Wind, the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in U.S. federal waters, has been awarded Power Magazine’s prestigious 2025 Plant of the Year honor. Located 35 miles east of Montauk Point, New York, this 132-MW project represents a critical milestone for America’s offshore wind industry. Developed by Ørsted and Eversource, South Fork Wind features 12 Siemens Gamesa turbines that began delivering power to approximately 70,000 Long Island homes in March 2024 under a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Long Island Power Authority. More information can be found here.
- Delaware Governor Approves Critical Bill for Offshore Wind
On June 30, 2025, Delaware Governor Matt Meyers signed Senate Bill (SB) 159 – later amended as SB 199 – effectively overruling Sussex County’s December 2024 denial of a conditional use permit for a US Wind offshore substation critical to the Maryland Offshore Wind Project. The legislation requires substations tied to renewable projects greater than or equal to 250 megawatts (MW) to be permitted in industrial zones and applies retroactively to pending permits. More information can be found here.
- New Offshore Wind Contracts Delayed Again
Massachusetts’ latest round of offshore wind solicitations – totaling 2,678 megawatts (MW) across three projects – will face further delays in final contract execution and filing amid federal permitting uncertainty. Originally scheduled for August 2024 with an April 2025 filing, the process has been postponed multiple times. Developers and utilities do not anticipate completed contracts by December 31, 2025, with filings to the Department of Public Utilities due February 25, 2026. One project has already withdrawn, and another hints at a multi-year delay as ratepayers away clarity on pricing under the state’s decarbonization goals. More information can be found here.
- Request for Proposals for REWI Biennial Project Solicitation
The Renewable Energy Wildlife Research Fund, administered by the Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute (REWI), recently announced its biennial project solicitation for wind- and solar-wildlife research projects. The application is open through July 11, 2025. Projects selected through this solicitation will become a part of the REWRF project portfolio. More detailed information on research objectives, proposal guidelines, timeline, and evaluation criteria can be found here.
- Maryland Offshore Wind Project Gets Air Quality Approvals
An offshore wind project planned off the coast of Maryland has received a final state air quality permit, pushing it closer to construction. The multi-phased offshore wind project known as the Maryland Offshore Wind Project. The Maryland Department of the Environment’s Air and Radiation Administration granted US Wind two needed approvals and a permit to construct effective June 6. The Baltimore-based company is co-owned by Apollo Global Management and developer Renexia, a subsidiary of Toto Holding. The multi-phased project is known as the Maryland Offshore Wind Project and includes phases called MarWin and Momentum Wind. A public hearing was held during the first quarter of this year on the tentative determination and draft permits and approvals. Any petition for judicial review must be filed by July 14, 2025. More information can be found here.
- Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Asks to Terminate Project’s Renewable Energy Credits
Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, the developer behind the 1.5-gigawatt (GW) Atlantic Shores 1 wind energy project in progress offshore New Jersey, filed a petition asking the state’s Board of Public Utilities to terminate the project’s offshore renewable energy credits and release it from all associated obligations. The petition cites President Donald Trump’s executive order pausing the development of offshore wind, along with other actions from his administration and the overall macroeconomic environment as reasons that “the project is no longer viable upon the terms and conditions set forth in the [Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificate] Order,” which was issued in 2021. Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind’s CEO Joris Veldhoven said in a release that the project is seeking a “reset period” and that “this filing marks the closing of a chapter, but not the end for Atlantic Shores.” More information can be found here.
- New Report on Offshore Wind Impact on Oceanographic Processes
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released a new report, “Offshore Wind Impact on Oceanographic Processes: North Carolina to New York.” The study, prepared by RPS Ocean Science, a Tetra Tech company, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, study sought to determine effects of offshore wind energy facilities on coastal and oceanic environmental conditions and habitats by examining how oceanic characteristics change after turbine installation, particularly for bottom stress, turbulent mixing, along and cross-shelf transport, wind-wave interactions, and larval transport. The study also assessed how such changes may affect Atlantic sea scallop, Atlantic surf clam, and black sea bass. Volume 1 of the report can be found here and Volume 2 (Appendices) can be found here.
- Offshore Wind Company Asks to Cancel its New Jersey Project
Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind petitioned the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) on June 4, 2025 to terminate its Offshore Renewable Energy Certificate (OREC) order. The company, which is a partnership between power and fuel company Shell and EDF Renewables North America, was in the process of developing a 1.5-gigawatt wind turbine power project east of Atlantic City. Had it been constructed, the project would have powered about 700,000 homes across the state. The company cited economic turmoil, including inflation and supply chain disruptions, as well as a federal permitting freeze under the Trump administration, as reasons for the cancellation. More information can be found here.
- American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting Early Registration Deadline Extended
The early registration deadline for the American Fisheries Society (AFS) 155th Annual Meeting has been extended until July 8, 2025. The American Fisheries Society’s Annual Meeting brings together a global community of fisheries professionals to share knowledge, foster innovation, and advance the science and management of aquatic resources. AFS Annual Meetings serve as a premier forum for networking, learning, and collaboration, ensuring the future of sustainable fisheries and ecosystems. The annual meeting will be held in San Antonio Texas from August 10-14, 2025 and includes complete access to Black Bass 2025 sessions. More information and to registration for the meeting can be found here.
- Upcoming Webinar: Offshore Wind Vessels – Constraints and Opportunities
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is hosting a Learning from the Experts webinar, “Offshore Wind Vessels – Constraints and Opportunities”, on 11 June 2025 from 1:00-2:00pm EST (5:00-6:00pm UTC). In this webinar, Tyler Boje and Jonathan Lints with Clarksons will discuss the inventory of vessels available to serve the U.S. offshore wind market, the impacts of constraints and bottlenecks, and opportunities for future investments. More information and free registration for the webinar can be found here.
- OES-Environmental Launches new Marine Renewable Energy Educational Resources
OES-Environmental has recently added a new guide to its Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) Educational Resources page on Tethys, which hosts resources to increase awareness and understanding of marine renewable energy and associated environmental effects and support the future workforce. The materials and resources on this page can be used by students of all ages and educational backgrounds. The MRE resources include video series and webinars, podcasts, technical reports, career panels, and an interactive video game. More information can be found here.
June 24, 2022
On June 24, 2022, BOEM published a Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Ocean Wind 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Ocean Wind, LLC’s Proposed Wind Energy Facility Offshore New Jersey. The NOA initiates a 45-day public comment period that ends August 8th, 2022 at 11:59 pm. For more information regarding the virtual public hearing and the dates it will be held, refer here.
Reducing or Avoiding Impacts of Offshore Wind Energy on Fisheries
June 24, 2022
In July, BOEM will hold four public meetings in consultation with NFMS and affected coastal states to discuss draft guidance for ways to mitigate impacts from offshore wind projects on commercial and recreational fisheries and fishing. Dates and meeting information can be found here.
June 23, 2022
BOEM has standardized its process for identifying alternatives in its draft Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) for all Offshore Wind Construction and Operations Plans (COPs) received from lessees. More information on BOEM’s standardization process for the finalized document can be found here. The finalized document can be found on BOEM’s website here.