The project would include 130 wind turbines spaced over almost 65 square kilometers (25 square miles). The $2.8 billion project is the only utility-scale offshore wind project. There are several other large wind projects in the federal cue behind Vineyard Wind, and the Biden administration has vowed to move forward quickly on their approval as part of his goal to get 30 GW of offshore wind power in the ocean by 2030. The Coast Guard will make notice of each enforcement period via the Local Notice to Mariners and issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via marine channel 16 (VHFFM) as soon as practicable in response to an emergency or hazardous condition. (b) Opposition Grows Against Vineyard Wind Ocean Wind Project Learn more here. Thats one the country will need several to meet the new goal. Because Cape Wind is proposing the project in federal water, states have no power to stop it. There is one change to the regulatory text of this rule from the proposed rule in the NPRM to account for the delay in the effective date. The 62 Vineyard Wind wind turbines will generate enough electricity to power approximately 400,000 homes by the time the project is completed in 2023, CEO Lars Pedersen said in May. The 62 Vineyard Wind wind turbines will generate enough electricity to power approximately 400,000 homes by the time the project is completed in 2023, CEO Lars Pedersen said in May. But it will only be enforced during active construction or other instances which may cause a hazard to navigation deemed necessary by the First Coast Guard District Commander. The other defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment. IV. 1333(a)(1)) to specifically include non-mineral energy resources. It is defined by Cape Cod in the north, Nantucket Island to the south, and Marthas Vineyard to the west. on NARA's archives.gov. When companies build offshore wind turbines today, they use special vessels for the installation of the most common offshore turbine designs. The suit was denied by the State Department of Justice in 2012. "If these agencies determine that this project is in the public interest, then we would supply three-quarters of the electricity that Mr. McCullough will use in his home from a clean, renewable resource.". The Biden administration on Wednesday approved Orsted A/S's Ocean Wind 1 project, setting the stage for installation of as many as 98 turbines in waters off New Jersey over the opposition of some local residents. Vineyard Winds plan uses one of the worlds largest turbines, GEs Haliade-X, to reduce the number of turbines needed. When enforced, only attending vessels and those vessels specifically authorized by the First Coast Guard District Commander, or a designated representative, are permitted to enter or remain in the temporary safety zones. Vineyard Wind, based in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is 50 percent owned by funds of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and 50 percent by . On January 1, 2021, Congress enacted the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA), Public Law 116283, 134 Stat. Register (ACFR) issues a regulation granting it official legal status. Many of the Northeastern states, including Massachusetts, have their own offshore wind energy goals, so theyre likely to support wind farms. Bidens Offshore Wind Dreams Face Rising Controversy, Opposition (Forbes), This is a BETA experience. We have analyzed this rule under that order and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 13132. The Biden administration nevertheless issued final permits for Vineyard Wind in May as part of an aggressive offshore wind and renewable energy agenda. Vacation Home Owners: Many vacation home owners are concerned about the impact the wind turbines will have on the scenic environment of the Sound, and they seek to preserve the beautiful landscape of the area. States are also investing in training. . May 25, 2023. The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 1. Each has a capacity of 13 megawatts and blades the length of a football field. The area within 500-meters of the center point of the positions provided in the following table is a safety zone: A draft document outlining the environmental impact is expected as early as September, with a decision on a permit as much as a year away. Persons or vessels seeking to enter the safety zone must request authorization from the First Coast Guard District Commander or a designated representative. The Horseshoe Shoal area is visible from some parts of Cape Cod, Marthas Vineyard, and Nantucket Island. Accordingly, the rule has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Vineyard Wind has a big selling point for its power: cheaper prices Request for permission. Permanent Residents: Year-round residents of the areas surrounding Nantucket Sound earn most of their living from the tourism industry. Many researchers studying offshore wind, including some of our colleagues, urge planners to take this perspective. But thinking carefully about a far future with several wind farms does not justify blocking the first utility-scale wind farm now. It would also have spoiled the view from the Kennedy familys estate and that of the Democratic family's billionaire neighbor, William Koch, owner of a nearby 26-acre estate. (Photo by Richard Drew/AP/Shutterstock). As engineering professors leading the Energy Transition Initiative and Wind Energy Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, we have been closely watching the industrys challenges and progress. That's a hundred feet taller than the Capitol dome in Washington.". A group of Nantucket residents has filed a federal lawsuit to try to stop the construction of the nation's first utility-scale offshore wind project, 15 miles south of the island resort and. L. 104121), we want to assist all small entities in understanding this temporary final rule. These 7 National Parks Draw Some Of The Fewest Visitors, Taylor Swift Changes Controversial Better Than Revenge Lyric On Speak Now (Taylors Version), Bidens Offshore Wind Dreams Face Rising Controversy, Opposition. and services, go to There are the whales, of course, he said. The comment period for the NPRM associated with the VW1WF project area ended on June 2, 2023, and construction for the project has already begun. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Opponents of the project say they are in favor of renewable energy, but just don't believe it should be allowed in this body of water at a time when there is no federal licensing process for this type of development on the ocean's floor. Cape Wind would be the first offshore wind farm in the United States. As an implementing regulation of this authority, 33 CFR part 147 permits the establishment of safety zones for non-mineral energy resource permanent or temporary structures located on the OCS for the purpose of protecting life and property on the facilities, appurtenances and attending vessels, and on the adjacent waters within the safety zone (see 33 CFR 147.10). regulatory information on FederalRegister.gov with the objective of First Major U.S. Offshore Wind Farm Set To Be Built Off Martha's Vineyard April 22, 2021 / 11:59 PM / CBS Boston BOSTON (CBS) - In the world of wind, there are gentle breezes and full-fledged gales. Championed as the future of clean energy by environmental activists, the 478-megawatt offshore farm would have been a power supply for Cape Cod, Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard. Nantucket Sound is about 48 kilometers (30 miles) by 40 kilometers (25 miles) in area. The government conducts reviews and requires site assessment plans, including geological, environmental and hazard surveys. I am equally confident that the projects lack of merit will result in its demise,Koch wrote in an email to the New York Times back in 2013. On March 15, 2023, Vineyard Wind, LLC, an offshore wind farm developer, notified the Coast Guard that they plan to begin construction of facilities in the VW1WF project area within federal waters on the OCS, specifically in the northern portion of BOEM Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0501, approximately 12 NM offshore Martha's Vineyard . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The farm's proximity to exclusive summertime playgrounds of Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod has bred the familiar "not-in-my-backyard" charges from officials at Cape Wind Associates. If the project is completed before May 31, 2024, enforcement of the safety zones will be suspended, and notice given via Local Notice to Mariners. The Nantucket group is the latest opposition effort to crop up in response to the large scale wind projects. Start Printed Page 42242, Table 1 to Paragraph ( This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. Under a 1920 law known as the Jones Act, only U.S.-registered vessels operated by U.S. citizens or permanent residents can move cargo between U.S. ports. Offshore wind power, east coast USA - Macro Economic Trends and Risks are not part of the published document itself. A thriving wind power industry will also need ports for storing and deploying the long turbine blades, plus a trained workforce for construction and turbine maintenance. These can be useful Although the Coast Guard has been aware of the VW1WF project area for several years, the Coast Guard was only recently granted the authority to establish safety zones for non-mineral energy resource facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf. Additionally, Vineyard Wind will provide dedicated safety and scout vessels on scene to provide advisory information. About the Federal Register McCullough points out that he has no view of the Sound from his home and that he has become involved in projects far from his back yard. In Federal Lawsuit, Nantucket Residents Say Offshore Wind Will Harm In 2010, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar gave the final necessary federal approval to the Cape Wind project. Windfarm Maintenance Facility Wins Approval in Vineyard Haven We provide a detailed discussion of those comments below. To put that goal in perspective, the U.S. has just 42 megawatts today. Now some of these celebrities want to make sure wind turbines don't become a part of the scenery. Construction of the initial turbines in the first major U.S. offshore wind farm began this week south of Martha's Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts, following a years-long legal. "I feel strongly about preserving the unspoiled places in America, no matter where they are," McCullough said. RODA appeals Vineyard Wind 1 decision - The Martha's Vineyard Times Offshore wind energy projects: A guide of wind turbines to dates Safety Zone; Vineyard Wind 1 Wind Farm Project Area, Outer Continental On March 15, 2023, Vineyard Wind, LLC, an offshore wind farm developer, notified the Coast Guard that they plan to begin construction of facilities in the VW1WF project area within federal waters on the OCS, specifically in the northern portion of BOEM Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0501, approximately 12 NM offshore Martha's Vineyard . Cape Wind would be the first offshore wind farm in the United States. Massachusetts started laying the groundwork early and already has a port terminal in New Bedford to support the construction and deployment of future offshore wind projects. The documents posted on this site are XML renditions of published Federal Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits. Use the PDF linked in the document sidebar for the official electronic format. They also believe the project can help Massachusetts keep up with energy demands. Kate Brogan, a spokeswoman for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, said in an email that it was reviewing (the lawsuit) carefully.. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 0230100101, Rev. "David McCullough is saying that there is nothing wrong with taking an aesthetic view of this project and asking whether it is worth all of the trade-offs.". Vineyard Wind The United States offshore wind industry is tiny, with just seven wind turbines operating off Rhode Island and Virginia. Vineyard Wind LLC is an offshore wind development company that will build the first commercial scale offshore wind energy project in the U.S., to be located 15 miles south of Martha's Vineyard. Vineyard Wind Announces Investment In US-Based Bubble Curtain . The population of the surrounding areas varies greatly seasonally, as much as tripling in the summer months. General 3 Vineyard Power Associated Press | By Jennifer Peter | August 12, 2003. The group, whose name references the three-letter airport code for Nantucket Memorial Airport, argues the project is proposed for a major area for foraging and nursing for right whales. The knowledge gained will be invaluable in moving forward responsibly. electronic version on GPOs govinfo.gov. Mary Chalke, the groups co-founder, said the greenlighting of Vineyard Wind will pave the way for the approval of at least five other wind farms along the East Coast, totaling more than 2,000 turbines across 2,000 square miles of ocean. VHFFMVery High FrequencyFrequency Modulation. We all want renewable energy, she said after the group filed the suit in Boston federal court. Extensive environmental impact studies were done in response to concerns raised by conservation groups. First, the commenter recommended additional means of making notice of each enforcement period. This project will not only provide a new, reliable source of clean energy but will also create high-paying jobs, continue our efforts to combat climate change and help preserve our environment, Cuomo said in a statement in January when the project was approved by the Long Island Power Authoritys board. Federal Register provide legal notice to the public and judicial notice This feature is not available for this document. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Storm Over Mass. Windmill Plan - CBS News New Jersey's first offshore wind farm just won federal approval - Axios A significant unknown issue is the cost of the project, if and by whom the project will be subsidized, and the ultimate cost to the consumer. For instructions on locating the docket, see the Second, the commenter recommended the definition of a designated representative be expanded if requests to deviate from the rule to transit through a safety zone becomes time consuming. When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. or redistributed. Part of New York Gov. https://www.boem.gov/vineyard-wind. The Humane Society of the United States, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the International Marine Mammal Project are among the groups that oppose the project. a Vineyard Wind, a 62-turbine project 12 miles south of Martha's Vineyard, is the first to run the legal gauntlet. It was viewed 11 times while on Public Inspection. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Safety Zone; Vineyard Wind 1 Wind Farm Project Area, Outer Continental Delaying the effective date of this rule would be impracticable because immediate action is needed to respond to the potential safety risks associated with the extremely complex and unusually hazardous construction of these OCS facilities including hydraulic pile driving hammer operations, heavy lift operations, overhead cutting operations, potential falling debris, increased vessel traffic, and stationary barges in close proximity to the facilities and each other. Applicable authorities are cited in section III. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Group files lawsuit to try to block construction of wind farm off Nantucket, Marthas Vineyard, Hot Property: Options abound in posh Newtonville digs, Stalemate: UPS, Teamsters contract talks break down, Millionaires Tax helped push Celtics forward to Dallas Mavericks, Dear Abby: Marriage of convenience an 18-year mistake, Battenfeld: Lawrence Police chief abruptly retires amid secrecy, $780,000 buyout, Boston City Council president calls for employee parking review following Kendra Lara crash, Dead seal with shark bites found on South Shore beach, sharks 'having a feast' off Nantucket, What does Evacuation Day mean? corresponding official PDF file on govinfo.gov. These tools are designed to help you understand the official document We were unable to subscribe you to WBUR Today. As construction on the U.S.'s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm started this week, another proposed for the waters south of the Vineyard said it hopes to sever its contracts. Wind turbines are pictured in RWE Offshore-Windpark Nordsee Ost in the North sea, 30 km from Helgoland, Germany, May 11, 2015. Persons or vessels seeking to enter the safety zone must request authorization from the First Coast Guard District Commander or designated representative via VHFFM channel 16 or by phone at 6176031560 (First Coast Guard District Command Center). 1. Together, they could generate. Among the opponents of the project were the former Senator Ted Kennedy and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, as well as other politicians from the area. The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/subscriber/new?topic_id=USDHSCG_65. 14 U.S.C. However, these safety zones will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of these entities because they are temporarily enforced, allow for deviation requests, and do not impact vessel transit significantly.