BOEM to Conduct Environmental Review of Two Offshore Wind Projects Off New Jersey

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is set to conduct an environmental review of two proposed offshore wind energy projects off the coast of New Jersey.

The plan was submitted by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind LLC which plans to construct and operate two commercial-scale offshore wind projects in federal waters approximately 8.7 miles from the New Jersey coast. The first of the two projects will have a capacity of 1,510 megawatts, enough to power over 700,000 homes, making it the largest single project in New Jersey and the third largest in the United States.

“The Interior Department is moving rapidly to develop a clean energy future with good-paying union jobs. Offshore wind holds enormous potential for our nation, and the wind resources offshore New Jersey are no exception,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “As we kick off this process, the Department will continue to do our part to ensure the development of our offshore renewable energy resources is done responsibly and sustainably.”

The Biden Administration has set a goal to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2030 and has been working diligently to meet that goal. Earlier this year, BOEM completed its review of a Construction and Operations Plan (COP) for the Vineyard Wind, the nation’s first large-scale offshore wind project to obtain federal approval. It also has nine more Construction and Operations Plan reviews underway with plans to for an additional six by 2025 (for a total of at least 16 COP reviews). The administration is also preparing for lease sales offshore the New York Bight, the Carolinas and California next year, as well as exploring the potential for offshore wind off the Gulf of Maine, Oregon, Hawaii, and the Gulf of Mexico.

“We are committed to facilitating a transparent and inclusive process for every offshore energy development project,”?said BOEM Director Amanda?Lefton. “Public input plays an essential role for identifying and mitigating potential impacts from proposed energy development activities.?That is why BOEM is committed to working closely with ocean users,?such as commercial fishermen, as well as industry, Tribes, government partners,?and?conservation organizations,?to make sure offshore wind development is done in an environmentally safe and responsible?way.”??

Atlantic Shores says it aims to begin construction on the New Jersey project in 2024.

New Jersey has set a goal of developing 7.5 GW of offshore wind energy generation by 2035. Earlier this month, officials broke ground on construction of the nation’s first purpose-build offshore wind port, known as the New Jersey Wind Port, located an artificial island on the eastern shores of the Delaware River, southwest of the City of Salem. The state has set a goal of opening the port in winter 2023/2024.

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