The Bureau of Ocean Power Administration (BOEM) at the moment introduced its approval of the Development and Operations Plan for the SouthCoast Wind Challenge.
That is the ultimate approval wanted for the mission from BOEM following the Division of the Inside’s December 2024 Document of Resolution.
“We’re proud to announce BOEM’s remaining approval of the SouthCoast Wind mission, the nation’s eleventh commercial-scale offshore wind power mission, which is able to energy greater than 840,000 properties,” stated BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein. “… now we have made outstanding strides in advancing a clear power economic system, together with approving greater than 19 gigawatts of offshore wind power.”
Positioned about 26 nautical miles (nm) south of Martha’s Winery and 20 nm south of Nantucket, Massachusetts, the SouthCoast Wind Challenge will have the ability to generate as much as 2.4 gigawatts of offshore wind power for Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
The authorized mission contains the development of as much as 141 wind turbine mills and as much as 5 offshore substation platforms situated at a most of 143 positions, and as much as eight offshore export cables situated in as much as two corridors, probably making landfall in Brayton Level or Falmouth, Massachusetts. In comparison with SouthCoast’s authentic proposed mission, the chosen various removes six wind turbine positions within the northeastern portion of the Lease Space to scale back potential impacts on foraging habitat and potential displacement of wildlife.
BOEM thought-about suggestions from Tribal Nations, authorities companies, ocean customers, and different events earlier than reaching this choice. The suggestions resulted in required measures to keep away from, decrease, or mitigate any potential impacts from the mission on marine life and different essential ocean makes use of, reminiscent of fishing.
The Division has labored to satisfy the second to develop a clear power economic system that’s strengthening the nation’s energy grid and creating good-paying jobs throughout development, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and extra. Along with the approval of the nation’s first 11 commercial-scale offshore wind tasks, BOEM has held six offshore industrial wind lease auctions since 2022 – together with a record-breaking sale within the New York Bight and the first-ever gross sales offshore the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Gulf of Maine coasts. The Division has additionally taken steps to develop a sustainable offshore wind trade by encouraging using mission labor agreements, strengthening workforce coaching, bolstering a home provide chain, and thru enhanced engagement with Tribes, fisheries, underserved communities, and ocean customers.
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