Vineyard Wind Hands in Final Environmental Impact Report

Vineyard Wind has submitted the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) for its proposed 800MW offshore wind project in the U.S.

The FEIR, which is the final step in the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) review process, reflects refinements that have been made to the project, including those based on input from state agencies, the Town of Barnstable and the public.

Members of the public are free to submit their comments on the report by 25 January 2019.

The issuance of the Secretary’s Certificate is expected during February next year.

To remind, Vineyard Wind submitted a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the project in May.

After being selected as the winner of the 800MW offshore wind Request for Proposals (RfP) in Massachusetts, MEPA requested a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Report (SDEIR).

The U.S. developer submitted the SDEIR in September, which incorporates additional offshore studies conducted during the spring and summer.

Vineyard Wind is located some 14 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard and will feature MHI Vestas 9.5MW turbines.

The wind farm is expected to enter the construction phase in 2019 and be operational by 2021.