The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed its environmental analysis of Revolution Wind, which is being planned as the first offshore wind farm source for Connecticut”™s energy needs.
In a press statement, BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein said the agency “used the feedback we received from Tribal Nations, industry, ocean users, communities, and stakeholders to help inform our decisions throughout the environmental review process and ensure that we are addressing potential impacts.” In response to comments received, BOEM developed a “preferred alternative” that includes fewer turbines to reduce impacts to visual resources and benthic habitat while allowing for both ocean co-use and meeting the energy needs of Connecticut and Rhode Island.
BOEM plans to issue a Record of Decision on whether to approve, approve with modification or disapprove the project later this summer.
The 304 MW Revolution Wind project won Connecticut”™s first solicitation for offshore wind in 2018. The project was originally a collaboration between Ørsted and Eversource (NYSE:ES), but in May Eversource announced it was exiting the wind energy space and selling its share in Revolution Wind to Ørsted.
