BOEM is seeking public comments for a New Jersey offshore wind project
The US Department of Interior announced new public comments for the development of plans that would build an offshore wind project of the coast of New Jersey
By Michael McGrady, Maritime Direct Americas & Pacific Correspondent
WASHINGTON — The Department of Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced that they posted a notice of intent to prepare an official environmental impact statement for the construction and operations plan submitted by wind energy produce Ocean Wind LLC to construct and operate a 1,100-megawatt energy generating facility in New Jersey waters.
This is a standard regulatory process that allows BOEM to hear from the stakeholders that would be impacted by the wind project.
A notice of intent officially opens a 30-day long public comment period. A statement from the White House also mentioned BOEM’s intent, according to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Haaland and the secretariats of Energy, Commerce, and Transportation announced that they also met with representatives from state and local governments, the offshore wind industry, labor unions, and other groups.
“The offshore wind industry in the United States can significantly contribute to the United States power mix to bring clean energy to the grid, create new good-paying jobs and confront the current climate crisis,” said Amanda Lefton, director of BOEM, in a statement.
“BOEM will work with industry, Tribes, government partners, the fishing community, conservation organizations, and labor unions to make sure that any offshore wind development is done in an environmentally safe and responsible manner. Public input plays an essential role for identifying and mitigating any potential impacts from proposed energy development activities,” adds Lefton.
