BOEM Webinar – Mapping the distribution and habitat use of soniferous fish on Cox’s ledge, with a focus on Atlantic cod spawning aggregations
The webinar will take place on May 20 at 12:00 pm EDT. More information is available here.
Port Access Route Study: Seacoast of New Jersey Including Offshore Approaches to the Delaware Bay, Delaware
The Coast Guard is conducting a Port Access Route Study (PARS) to determine whether existing or additional vessel routing measures are necessary along the seacoast of New Jersey and approaches to the Delaware Bay. The PARS will consider whether existing … Continued
Vineyard Wind Permitting “on track”
The permit process remains on track for the 800MW Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm off the US east coast, according to the chief executive of one of the project’s joint venture partners. A draft supplement to the environmental impact assessment … Continued
New York State’s Public Service Commission released an Official Order for a 2020 OSW Solicitation
In this Order, the New York State Public Service Commission authorizes NYSERDA to issue an additional offshore wind solicitation in 2020 for 1,000 MW or more, in order to maintain New York’s trajectory in meeting its clean energy goals.
NMFS Cod Study Underway on New England Offshore Wind Area
A three-year study of cod and other commercial fish species is underway around New England offshore wind energy sites, part of a NMFS effort to better understand how proposed turbine arrays will affect the environment and fisheries.
Connecticut Legislature’s Environment Committee introduced Senate Bill 411, establishing a Fisheries Recovery Fund to make grants available to commercial fishermen licensed in the state who are negatively affected by an offshore wind facility.
The bill proposes to compensate commercial fishermen for lost revenues associated with the effects of certain offshore wind energy projects and require disclosure of the contract and associated documents for such project.
US Offshore Wind and Fisheries Alliance Names First Executive Director
The Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA) has appointed Lyndie Hice-Dunton as its first executive director.
BOEM releases Vineyard Wind project schedule
BOEM announced a revised schedule for the Vineyard Wind project. The Final EIS will now be November 13, 2020, and the Record of Decision will be on December 18, 2020.
Trump increases BOEM offshore wind budget
The 2021 budget of $189 million allocates $26.5 million to advance offshore wind development. BOEM’s leasing program will use the budget to continue offshore wind advocacy, while streamlining its review processes under NEPA.
First offshore wind energy project in federal waters to start May 2020
The Port of Virginia announced a lease agreement with Ørsted, a wind developer, for to make 40 acres available for vessels, materials for offshore wind construction, and turbine components beginning in May of 2020.