Earlier this week, the Biden Administration announced several exciting initiatives related to the expansion the offshore wind industry. As part of this announcement, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Construction and Operations Plan (COP) submitted by Ocean Wind that would allow it to construct and operate the proposed project.

Located 15 miles off the coast of southern New Jersey, Ocean Wind is an 1,100 MW wind farm developed by Ørsted and PSEG that will generate enough clean energy to power half a million New Jersey homes and businesses.

BOEM’s scoping process is intended to identify what should be considered in the Ocean Wind COP EIS. During the 30-day public comment period, which begins with the publication of the NOI, BOEM will hold three virtual public scoping meetings to solicit public feedback and accept comments to inform the preparation of the EIS.

If you are interested in submitting comments in support of Ocean Wind, BOEM will hold public scoping meetings and accept written comments.

Scoping meetings on Ocean Wind are scheduled for:

  • Tuesday, April 13, 2021; 1:00 p.m.,
  • Thursday, April 15, 2021; 5:30 p.m., and
  • Tuesday, April 20, 2021; 5:30 p.m.

Registration for the virtual public meetings may be completed here: https://www.boem.gov/Ocean-Wind-Scoping-Virtual-Meetings.

Additionally, written comments can be submitted in the following ways:

  • In written form, delivered by hand or by mail, enclosed in an envelope labeled, “Ocean Wind Energy Facility Scoping Comments” and addressed to Program Manager, Office of Renewable Energy, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166; or
  • Through the regulations.gov web portal by searching for Docket No. BOEM-2021-0024. Click on the “Comment Now!” button to the right of the document link. Enter your information and comment, then click “Submit.”

Please note, all comments must be submitted by 11:59 PM on April 29, 2021.
For more information on the Ocean Wind COP can be found on BOEM’s website at https://www.boem.gov/Ocean-Wind/.