Monday, 08 March 2021 The United States offshore wind industry took a monumental step forward following today s announcement from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on the final environmental impact statement for the Vineyard Wind Project. This decision puts the first U.S. commercial-scale project a small step away from beginning construction. Pixabay
“We want to thank BOEM for all of the work they’ve done since we submitted the permit application in December of 2017 on this first-in-the-nation project,” said Vineyard Wind CEO Lars T. Pedersen. “More than three years of federal review and public comment is nearing its conclusion and 2021 is poised to be a momentous year for our project and the broader offshore wind industry. Offshore wind is a historic opportunity to build a new industry that will lead to the creation of thousands of jobs, reduce electricity rates for consumers and contribute significantly to limiting the impacts of climate change. We look f
Lars T. Pedersen, CEO of Vineyard Wind, said during a press conference Monday that because the company did not make any changes to its plan, he expects BOEM to pick up where it left off in the review process. Since there are no changes required to the COP, we expect that BOEM can finalize their review based on the extensive analysis and studies of the project over the last three years, he said.
Vineyard Wind planned to use turbines from another company, but the original supply contract expired, said Vineyard Wind spokesperson Andrew Doba.
Pedersen said the company needed time to review whether the new turbines would remain within project parameters as it relates to foundation construction and staging out of the Port of New Bedford, among other logistical considerations.