Offshore Wind Project Areas<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][breadcrumb-shortcode][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is the lead federal agency for all offshore wind projects located within federal waters. BOEM facilitates lease sales of OCS blocks for the development of offshore wind energy facilities. There are currently three offshore leases with projects in development off the coast of New Jersey. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is tasked with permitting all aspects of the projects within state waters three (3) nautical miles of New Jersey\u2019s coastline.<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_tabs][vc_tta_section title=”ASOW South” tab_id=”atlantic-shores-south”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n
Atlantic Shores South<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Atlantic](\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/offshorewind\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/atlantic-shores-tab.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC is a 50:50 partnership between Shell New Energies US LLC and EDF Renewables North America. The Atlantic Shores South project is located in Lease Area OCS-A 0499 located approximately 8.7 miles off the coast of Atlantic City.<\/p>\n
NEPA Process<\/h2>\n
On March 25, 2021 Atlantic Shores submitted its Construction and Operations Plan (COP) to BOEM and an updated COP<\/a> was submitted on May 1, 2024. In the updated COP Atlantic Shores proposed the construction and operation of two distinct offshore wind energy projects, referred to as Project 1 and Project 2, as well as an Operation and Maintenance Facility. The projects together include up to 200 total wind turbine generators, up to 10 offshore substations, one meteorological tower, up to four temporary meteorological and oceanographic buoys inter-array cables, up to two onshore substations, one operations and maintenance facility, and up to eight transmission cables making landfall at the Atlantic Landfall site in Atlantic City and\/or Monmouth Landfall site in Sea Girt.<\/p>\nOn September 30, 2021, BOEM published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)<\/a> for the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind.<\/p>\nOn May 15, 2023 BOEM announced the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). <\/a><\/p>\nOn May 23, 2024 BOEM announced the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)<\/a>.<\/p>\nOn July 2, 2024, the\u202fDepartment of the Interior announced\u202fthe approval of the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind South Project. The Atlantic Shores South Record of Decision can be viewed here<\/a> <\/i>.<\/p>\nState Activities<\/h4>\n
In the 2021 New Jersey Solicitation 2, NJBPU awarded Atlantic Shore South Project 1 (Project 1) an O\u00acffshore Renewable Energy Credit (OREC) to deliver 1,510 megawatts (MW). Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 2 (Project 2) has not received an OREC award.<\/p>\n
On April 1, 2024 NJDEP issued a Federal Consistency Certification for the portion of Atlantic Shores South to be located in Federal offshore waters.<\/p>\n
On June 24, 2024, the Division of Land Resource Protection approved a Waterfront Development Individual In-Water Permit for the proposed installation of the portion of the electric transmission export cable within New Jersey State waters within the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Borough of Sea Girt in Monmouth County for Project 2.<\/p>\n
On August 12, 2024, the Department\u2019s Division of Land Resource Protection approved a CAFRA Individual Permit and a Waterfront Development In-water Individual Permit for the proposed construction of an operations and maintenance facility on Block 567, Lot 2 in Atlantic City, Atlantic County by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Services, LLC. The project consists of the construction of a warehouse, office, cranes, and docks for boat mooring, which will provide support services for commercial-scale, offshore wind energy facilities within Lease Area OCS-A 0499 off the coast of New Jersey.<\/p>\n
On August 26, 2024, the Division of Land Resource Protection approved a CAFRA Individual Permit, a Waterfront Development Individual In-Water Permit, a Coastal Wetlands Permit, a Freshwater Wetlands Special Activity Transition Area Waiver for Linear Development, and a Freshwater Wetlands Letter of Interpretation for the proposed construction of the nearshore and onshore components associated with the development of the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1 (Project 1). Project 1 includes a landfall between South Belmont Avenue and South California Avenue in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The cables will continue on land to the Cardiff Substation located in Egg Harbor Township.<\/p>\n
Atlantic Shores has also submitted an application to the Department\u2019s Office of Transactions and Public Land Administration for a Green Acres Diversion, and an application to the Bureau of Tidelands for a Tidelands Utility License. These applications are currently under review.<\/p>\n
These are the primary NJDEP permits which authorize construction of the Atlantic Shores South projects. It is anticipated that the projects will also need NJPDES stormwater management and dewatering permits related to onshore construction. The NJDEP has not yet received applications for those activities.<\/p>\n
Copies of the permit approvals are linked below. More information can be found on BOEM\u2019s website<\/a> and Atlantic Shores\u2019 website<\/a>.<\/p>\nNJDEP Permits and Federal Consistency Certification<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- ASOW Project 1 Permits<\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n
- ASOW Project 1 Environmental Report<\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n
- ASOW Project 1 Response to Comments<\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n
- ASOW Project 1 Letter of Interpretation<\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n
- ASOW Project 2 Permits<\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n
- ASOW Project 2 Environmental Report<\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n
- ASOW Project 2 Response to Comments<\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n
- ASOW OM Facility Permits<\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n
- ASOW OM Facility Environmental Report<\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n
- ASOW OM Facility Bulkhead Permits<\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n
- ASOW OM Facility Bulkhead Environmental Report<\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n
- Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Federal Consistency Certification Response to Comments<\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n
- Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Federal Consistency Certification Environmental Analysis<\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n
- Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Federal Consistency Certification Intent Letter<\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n
- Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Federal Consistency Certification Concurrence Letter<\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
NJDEP Comment Letters<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- NJDEP Comments on Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC<\/a> <\/i>.<\/li>\n
- NJDEP Comments on the Atlantic Shores South Draft Environmental Impact Statement<\/a> <\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Federal Consistency Stay Agreement<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- Atlantic Shores South Federal Consistency Stay Agreement<\/a> <\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”ASOW North” tab_id=”atlantic-shores-north”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n
Atlantic Shores North<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC is a 50:50 partnership between Shell New Energies US LLC and EDF Renewables North America. On April 19, 2022 the original lease (OCS-A 0499) was bifurcated into two lease areas. The southern portion of the lease retained the same lease number and is referred to as Atlantic Shores South. The northern portion of the lease was re-numbered to OCS-A 0549 and is referred to as Atlantic Shores North.<\/p>\n
The Atlantic Shores North project consists of the development of an offshore wind farm with a maximum of 157 wind turbine generators, up to 8 small, 4 medium, or 3 large offshore substations, inter-array and\/or inter-link cables, and a meteorological tower that will be located in Federal offshore waters approximately 8.4 miles from the New Jersey shoreline as well as accompanying electric transmission cables from the lease area to potential points of interconnection in New Jersey and\/or New York.<\/p>\n
NEPA Process<\/h4>\n
Atlantic Shores North submitted a Construction and Operations Plan<\/a> to BOEM on April 29, 2022 and an updated version was submitted on March 1, 2024 in preparation for developing a draft Environmental Impact Statement. On March 15, 2024 BOEM released a Notice of Intent<\/a> to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Atlantic Shores North project.<\/p>\nState Activities<\/h4>\n
NJDEP received a request for a Federal Consistency Certification on April 22, 2024 from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC to develop a commercial-scale, offshore wind energy generation facility within Lease Area OCS-A 0549.<\/p>\n
More information can be found on BOEM’s website<\/a> and Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind website<\/a>.<\/p>\nNJDEP Comment Letters<\/strong><\/h4>\nNJDEP Comments on Atlantic Shores North Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement<\/a> <\/i>.<\/p>\nFederal Consistency Stay Agreement<\/strong><\/h4>\nAtlantic Shores North Federal Consistency Stay Agreement<\/a> <\/i>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Attentive Energy Two” tab_id=”attentive-energy-two”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\nAttentive Energy Two<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Attentive](\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/offshorewind\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/attentive-energy-tab.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Attentive Energy Two is located approximately 42 miles east of Seaside Heights. On January 24, 2024 NJBPU announced the Attentive Energy Two project was awarded the 3rd Offshore Wind Solicitation for New Jersey to deliver 1,342 MW of power to the state. It is anticipated that over 650,000 homes will be powered annually by the project. Commercial operation is expected in 2031.<\/p>\n
More information can be found on BOEMs website<\/a> \u00a0and Attentive Energy’s website<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Leading Light Wind” tab_id=”leading-light-wind”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\nLeading Light Wind<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Leading](\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/offshorewind\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/leading-light-wind-tab.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Leading Light Wind is located approximately 35 miles offshore of New Jersey. On January 24, 2024 NJBPU announced the Leading Light Wind project was awarded the 3rd<\/sup> Offshore Wind Solicitation for New Jersey to deliver 2,400 MW of power to the state.<\/p>\nMore information can be found on BOEMs website<\/a> and Leading Light Winds website<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”New York Bight” tab_id=”ny-bight”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\nNew York Bight<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Future](\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/offshorewind\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/future-wind-tab.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
In support of BOEM\u2019s priorities to advance domestic energy production, generate revenue, and increase job opportunities nationwide, BOEM is moving forward with wind energy planning efforts on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the New York Bight region, which represents an area of shallow waters between Long Island (to the north and east) and the New Jersey coast (to the south and west).<\/p>\n
On June 11, 2021, the Department of the Interior announced a proposed sale notice for offshore wind development on the Outer Continental Shelf in the New York Bight. On Jan. 12, 2022, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland\u00a0announced<\/a>\u00a0that BOEM will hold a wind energy auction on Feb. 23, 2022, for more than 480,000 acres in the New York Bight. This will be the first offshore wind energy auction under the Biden-Harris Administration. The auction will allow offshore wind developers to bid on six lease areas \u2013 the most areas ever offered in a single auction \u2013 as described in BOEM\u2019s\u00a0Final Sale Notice<\/a>. Leases offered in this sale could result in 5.6 to 7 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, enough to power nearly 2 million homes.<\/p>\nOverview Map of the NY Bight Proposed Lease Areas<\/a><\/p>\nFor more information on the NY\/NJ Bight Wind Energy Areas<\/a>.<\/p>\nProgrammatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS)<\/h4>\n
On January 8, 2024 BOEM released the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the development of six offshore wind lease areas, known as the New York Bight, off the coast of New Jersey and New York. The PEIS was prepared to assess the potential biological, socioeconomic, physical and cultural impacts associated with the development of the New York Bight lease areas. This includes the evaluation of avoidance, minimization, mitigation and monitoring measures through an alternatives analysis.<\/p>\n
The release of the Draft PEIS opened a 45-day public comment, that was extended for 15-days for a total of 60-days. All comments received will be reviewed and considered by BOEM in preparation for the Final PEIS.<\/p>\n
NJDEP Comment Letters<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n- December 2018 State of NJ Comments on Proposed Wind Energy Areas<\/a> <\/i>.<\/li>\n
- NJDEP and NJBPU\u2019s joint comments on the announcement of the New York New Jersey Bight Wind Energy Areas and the preparation of an Environmental Assessment associated with issuing leases in the Wind Energy Areas<\/a> <\/i>.<\/li>\n
- NJ Joint Comments on NY Bight Proposed Sale Notice<\/a> <\/i>.<\/li>\n
- New York Bight Wind Energy Areas Offshore the States of New York and New Jersey Federal Consistency Determination<\/a> <\/i>.<\/li>\n
- NJDEP Comments on Commercial and Research Wind Lease and Grant Issuance and Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf of the New York\/New Jersey Bight, Draft Environmental Assessment<\/a> <\/i>.<\/li>\n
- NJDEP Comments on BOEM\u2019s Notice of Intent to Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Future Wind Development in the NY Bight Lease Areas<\/a> <\/i>.<\/li>\n
- NJDEP Comments on NYB Draft PEIS <\/a> <\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Ocean Wind” tab_id=”ocean-wind”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n
Ocean Wind 1<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Ocean](\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/offshorewind\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/ocean-wind-tab.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
On October 31, 2023, Orsted announced they would be ceasing development of both the Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2 projects. For more information, please see Orsted\u2019s press release<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\nOn February 29, 2024 BOEM approved a 2 year suspension<\/a> <\/i> of the commercial lease area leased by Ocean Wind LLC.<\/p>\n\u00d8rsted\u2019s Ocean Wind 1 lease area (OCS-A 0498) is located approximately 15 miles off New Jersey\u2019s coast. On June 21, 2019 the NJBPU announced that \u00d8rsted\u2019s Ocean Wind 1 Project<\/a> was awarded a solicitation for 1,100 MW offshore wind project. This 1,100 MW project has the potential to power nearly half a million homes in New Jersey.<\/p>\nMore information on \u00d8rsted\u2019s Ocean Wind 1 project<\/a>.<\/p>\nMore information on BOEM Lease area OCS-A 0498<\/a>.<\/p>\nBOEM NEPA Process<\/strong><\/h3>\nOcean Wind 1\u2019s Construction and Operations Plan (COP) was submitted to BOEM on August 15, 2019, with updated versions submitted on March 13, 2020, September 24, 2020, and March 24, 2021. BOEM will review the COP and approve, disapprove, or approve with modifications the proposed activities. On March 30, 2021, BOEM published a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Ocean Wind 1. The Notice of Intent initiates a 30-day public comment period and triggers the beginning of the State\u2019s review process under a Federal Consistency review. On June 24, 2022, BOEM published a Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Ocean Wind 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The Ocean Wind 1 DEIS can be viewed here<\/a>.
\nOn May 22, 2023 BOEM announced the availability of the final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed Ocean Wind 1 wind energy project offshore New Jersey.
\nThe Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Ocean Wind 1 FEIS for Ocean Wind LLC’s Proposed Wind Energy Facility was published in the Federal Register on May 26, 2023.<\/p>\n\n- Ocean Wind 1 FEIS Notice of Availability (BOEM-2023-0029)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Ocean Wind 1 FEIS<\/a><\/li>\n
- Ocean Wind 1 Construction and Operations Plan<\/a><\/li>\n
- Cumulative Historic Resources Visual Effects Analysis<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
On July 5, 2023, the Department of the Interior announced the approval of the construction and operation of the Ocean Wind 1 project offshore New Jersey. The ROD documents the decision to approve\u202fOcean Wind LLC\u2019s plan to construct up to 98 wind turbines and up to three offshore substations within its Lease Area.<\/p>\n
\n- Ocean Wind 1 ROD<\/a><\/li>\n
- Ocean Wind 1 ROD Notice of Availability<\/a>\u00a0(BOEM-2023-0029)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
On September 21, 2023, BOEM approved the Construction and Operations Plan (COP) for the Ocean Wind 1 Offshore Wind Farm Project and its associated project easement.<\/p>\n
\n- Ocean Wind 1 COP Approval Letter<\/a>\u00a0(includes Conditions of COP Approval and revised Addendum A and Addendum D)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
NJDEP Permitting<\/strong><\/h3>\nOn April 27, 2023, the NJDEP approved an application for a CAFRA Individual Permit, Waterfront Development Individual Permit, Coastal Wetlands Permit and Freshwater Wetlands Individual Permit for the Ocean Wind 1 offshore wind project within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (\u201cBOEM\u201d) Lease Area OCS-A 0498 off the coast of New Jersey. The work proposed under this State permit application within State waters and onshore includes the installation of electric transmission cables to the B.L. England substation and the Oyster Creek substation, associated infrastructure along the cable routes including manholes, duct banks, and transition joint bays (TBJ\u2019s), the construction of two onshore substations, and maintenance dredging of Oyster Creek Federal Channel.<\/p>\n
Additionally, NJDEP issued a Federal Consistency Certification on April 27th for the portion of the project in federal waters which includes the construction of up to 98 wind turbine generators within Lease Area OCS-A 0498, up to three (3) offshore alternating current substations, array cable installations linking the individual turbines to the offshore substations, and substation interconnector cables linking two of the three substations to each other.<\/p>\n
These are the primary NJDEP permits which authorize construction of the Ocean Wind 1 project. It is anticipated that the project will also need NJPDES stormwater management and dewatering permits related to onshore construction. The NJDEP has not yet received applications for those activities.<\/p>\n
NJDEP Permits and Federal Consistency Certification<\/strong><\/h4>\nNJDEP State permit<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 BL England Plans – Stamped<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 Grading & Drainage Plan – Stamped<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 HDD Plans – Stamped<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 Offshore Plans – Stamped<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 Oyster Creek Plans – Stamped<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 Post Dev SW Plan – Stamped<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 State Permit Env Report<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 Response to Comments<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Federal Consistency Certification letter, signed<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 Fed Con Env Report<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP and Ocean Wind 1 Letter of Intent<\/a> <\/i>.<\/p>\nNJDEP Comment Letters<\/strong><\/h4>\nNJDEP Comments on Ocean Wind LLC\u2019s Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Comments on the Ocean Wind 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement<\/a> <\/i>.<\/p>\nFederal Consistency Stay Agreement<\/strong><\/h4>\nOcean Wind 1 Federal Consistency Stay Agreement<\/a> <\/i>.<\/p>\nOcean Wind 2<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Ocean](\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/offshorewind\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/ocean-wind2-tab.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
On December 8, 2020, Ocean Wind LLC submitted an application to BOEM to assign a portion of lease #OCS-A 0498 to Orsted North American Inc. BOEM approved the assignment on March 26, 2021. The lease area assigned to Orsted North America Inc. now carries the new lease number #OCS-A 0532 and is being developed under the project name \u201cOcean Wind 2\u201d. On June 30, 2021 the NJBPU awarded OREC\u2019s to Ocean Wind for their 1,148 MW Ocean Wind 2 project which will be located in lease area #OCS-A 0532.<\/p>\n
Ocean Wind 2 anticipates submitting their Construction and Operations Plan (COP) to BOEM in early 2023. The wind turbines are expected to begin generating power in 2028.<\/p>\n
More information on \u00d8rsted\u2019s Ocean Wind 2 project<\/a>.<\/p>\nMore information on BOEM Lease area OCS-A 0532<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Empire Wind” tab_id=”empire-wind”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Empire Wind<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Empire](\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/offshorewind\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/empire-wind-tab.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
On July 18, 2019, New York awarded OREC\u2019s for Equinor\u2019s 816 MW Empire Wind 1 Project. On January 13, 2021, New York awarded OREC\u2019s for Equinor\u2019s 1,260 MW Empire Wind 2 Project. The two projects combined propose up to 147 wind turbines and up to 2 offshore substations with two cable routes located within Lease Area OCS-A-0512, which is located approximately 19.5 miles (16.9 nautical miles) east of Long Branch, New Jersey and 14 miles (12 nautical miles) south of Long Island, New York. \u00a0In total the Project is expected to generate 2,076-megawatts of clean, renewable energy. \u00a0Once constructed will build out the entire OCS-A 0512 lease area.<\/p>\n
More information on\u00a0Equinor\u2019s Empire Wind projects<\/a>.<\/p>\nMore information on\u00a0BOEM Lease area OCS-A 0512<\/a>.<\/p>\nBOEM NEPA Process<\/strong><\/p>\nEmpire Wind submitted its Construction and Operations Plan (COP) on January 10, 2020 with an updated version submitted on April 14, 2021. BOEM will review the COP and approve, disapprove, or approve with modifications the proposed activities. On June 24, 2021 BOEM published a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Empire Wind 1 & 2. The Notice of Intent initiated a 30-day public comment period and triggered the beginning of the State\u2019s review process under a Federal Consistency review. On November 18, 2022, BOEM announced the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) for the proposed Empire Wind energy project offshore New York.\u00a0 On Sep. 11, 2023, BOEM announced the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the proposed Empire Wind project offshore New York.<\/p>\n
\n- Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS<\/a><\/li>\n
- Empire Wind Construction and Operations Plan and Appendices<\/a><\/li>\n
- Empire Wind Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Empire Wind Final EIS<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
NJDEP\u00a0Federal Consistency <\/strong><\/p>\nOn June 24, 2021, Empire Offshore Wind LLC (\u201cEmpire Wind\u201d) submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (\u201cNJDEP\u201d) a federal consistency certification and a copy of the Construction and Operation Plan (\u201cCOP\u201d) for the proposed construction and operation of the wind energy projects. Although neither Empire Wind project will be connecting its power to New Jersey\u2019s electrical grid, Empire Wind voluntarily submitted the consistency certification to NJDEP to review for any reasonably foreseeable effects of the Project on coastal use or resources for consistency with the enforceable policies of the New Jersey Coastal Zone Management Program. On September 15th, 2023,\u00a0the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Division of Land Resource Protection (Division) issued a Federal Consistency Certification\u00a0for the Empire Wind project. The Division concurs with Empire Wind\u2019s consistency certification that the project is consistent with the enforceable policies of the New Jersey Coastal Zone Management Program, N.J.A.C. 7:7-1.1 et seq., (last amended on October 5, 2021). The Division\u2019s Federal Consistency concurrence decision is based upon the information contained in BOEM\u2019s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), Empire Wind\u2019s Construction and Operations Plan (COP), including Empire Wind\u2019s commitment to measures intended to avoid, minimize, and mitigate the reasonably foreseeable effects associated with the project, consistent with N.J.A.C. 7:7-1.1 et seq., including N.J.A.C. 7:7-16.2.<\/p>\n
Empire Wind Federal Consistency Certification Letter<\/a> <\/i>
\nEmpire Wind Federal Consistency Analysis<\/a> <\/i>
\nEmpire Wind and NJDEP Letter of Intent<\/a> <\/i><\/p>\nNJDEP Comment Letters<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/p>\nOn September 30, 2021, BOEM published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)<\/a> for the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind.<\/p>\n On May 15, 2023 BOEM announced the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). <\/a><\/p>\n On May 23, 2024 BOEM announced the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)<\/a>.<\/p>\n On July 2, 2024, the\u202fDepartment of the Interior announced\u202fthe approval of the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind South Project. The Atlantic Shores South Record of Decision can be viewed here<\/a> <\/i>.<\/p>\n In the 2021 New Jersey Solicitation 2, NJBPU awarded Atlantic Shore South Project 1 (Project 1) an O\u00acffshore Renewable Energy Credit (OREC) to deliver 1,510 megawatts (MW). Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 2 (Project 2) has not received an OREC award.<\/p>\n On April 1, 2024 NJDEP issued a Federal Consistency Certification for the portion of Atlantic Shores South to be located in Federal offshore waters.<\/p>\n On June 24, 2024, the Division of Land Resource Protection approved a Waterfront Development Individual In-Water Permit for the proposed installation of the portion of the electric transmission export cable within New Jersey State waters within the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Borough of Sea Girt in Monmouth County for Project 2.<\/p>\n On August 12, 2024, the Department\u2019s Division of Land Resource Protection approved a CAFRA Individual Permit and a Waterfront Development In-water Individual Permit for the proposed construction of an operations and maintenance facility on Block 567, Lot 2 in Atlantic City, Atlantic County by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Services, LLC. The project consists of the construction of a warehouse, office, cranes, and docks for boat mooring, which will provide support services for commercial-scale, offshore wind energy facilities within Lease Area OCS-A 0499 off the coast of New Jersey.<\/p>\n On August 26, 2024, the Division of Land Resource Protection approved a CAFRA Individual Permit, a Waterfront Development Individual In-Water Permit, a Coastal Wetlands Permit, a Freshwater Wetlands Special Activity Transition Area Waiver for Linear Development, and a Freshwater Wetlands Letter of Interpretation for the proposed construction of the nearshore and onshore components associated with the development of the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1 (Project 1). Project 1 includes a landfall between South Belmont Avenue and South California Avenue in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The cables will continue on land to the Cardiff Substation located in Egg Harbor Township.<\/p>\n Atlantic Shores has also submitted an application to the Department\u2019s Office of Transactions and Public Land Administration for a Green Acres Diversion, and an application to the Bureau of Tidelands for a Tidelands Utility License. These applications are currently under review.<\/p>\n These are the primary NJDEP permits which authorize construction of the Atlantic Shores South projects. It is anticipated that the projects will also need NJPDES stormwater management and dewatering permits related to onshore construction. The NJDEP has not yet received applications for those activities.<\/p>\n Copies of the permit approvals are linked below. More information can be found on BOEM\u2019s website<\/a> and Atlantic Shores\u2019 website<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”ASOW North” tab_id=”atlantic-shores-north”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC is a 50:50 partnership between Shell New Energies US LLC and EDF Renewables North America. On April 19, 2022 the original lease (OCS-A 0499) was bifurcated into two lease areas. The southern portion of the lease retained the same lease number and is referred to as Atlantic Shores South. The northern portion of the lease was re-numbered to OCS-A 0549 and is referred to as Atlantic Shores North.<\/p>\n The Atlantic Shores North project consists of the development of an offshore wind farm with a maximum of 157 wind turbine generators, up to 8 small, 4 medium, or 3 large offshore substations, inter-array and\/or inter-link cables, and a meteorological tower that will be located in Federal offshore waters approximately 8.4 miles from the New Jersey shoreline as well as accompanying electric transmission cables from the lease area to potential points of interconnection in New Jersey and\/or New York.<\/p>\n Atlantic Shores North submitted a Construction and Operations Plan<\/a> to BOEM on April 29, 2022 and an updated version was submitted on March 1, 2024 in preparation for developing a draft Environmental Impact Statement. On March 15, 2024 BOEM released a Notice of Intent<\/a> to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Atlantic Shores North project.<\/p>\n NJDEP received a request for a Federal Consistency Certification on April 22, 2024 from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC to develop a commercial-scale, offshore wind energy generation facility within Lease Area OCS-A 0549.<\/p>\n More information can be found on BOEM’s website<\/a> and Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind website<\/a>.<\/p>\n NJDEP Comments on Atlantic Shores North Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement<\/a> <\/i>.<\/p>\n Atlantic Shores North Federal Consistency Stay Agreement<\/a> <\/i>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Attentive Energy Two” tab_id=”attentive-energy-two”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n Attentive Energy Two is located approximately 42 miles east of Seaside Heights. On January 24, 2024 NJBPU announced the Attentive Energy Two project was awarded the 3rd Offshore Wind Solicitation for New Jersey to deliver 1,342 MW of power to the state. It is anticipated that over 650,000 homes will be powered annually by the project. Commercial operation is expected in 2031.<\/p>\n More information can be found on BOEMs website<\/a> \u00a0and Attentive Energy’s website<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Leading Light Wind” tab_id=”leading-light-wind”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n Leading Light Wind is located approximately 35 miles offshore of New Jersey. On January 24, 2024 NJBPU announced the Leading Light Wind project was awarded the 3rd<\/sup> Offshore Wind Solicitation for New Jersey to deliver 2,400 MW of power to the state.<\/p>\n More information can be found on BOEMs website<\/a> and Leading Light Winds website<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”New York Bight” tab_id=”ny-bight”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n In support of BOEM\u2019s priorities to advance domestic energy production, generate revenue, and increase job opportunities nationwide, BOEM is moving forward with wind energy planning efforts on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the New York Bight region, which represents an area of shallow waters between Long Island (to the north and east) and the New Jersey coast (to the south and west).<\/p>\n On June 11, 2021, the Department of the Interior announced a proposed sale notice for offshore wind development on the Outer Continental Shelf in the New York Bight. On Jan. 12, 2022, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland\u00a0announced<\/a>\u00a0that BOEM will hold a wind energy auction on Feb. 23, 2022, for more than 480,000 acres in the New York Bight. This will be the first offshore wind energy auction under the Biden-Harris Administration. The auction will allow offshore wind developers to bid on six lease areas \u2013 the most areas ever offered in a single auction \u2013 as described in BOEM\u2019s\u00a0Final Sale Notice<\/a>. Leases offered in this sale could result in 5.6 to 7 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, enough to power nearly 2 million homes.<\/p>\n Overview Map of the NY Bight Proposed Lease Areas<\/a><\/p>\n For more information on the NY\/NJ Bight Wind Energy Areas<\/a>.<\/p>\n On January 8, 2024 BOEM released the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the development of six offshore wind lease areas, known as the New York Bight, off the coast of New Jersey and New York. The PEIS was prepared to assess the potential biological, socioeconomic, physical and cultural impacts associated with the development of the New York Bight lease areas. This includes the evaluation of avoidance, minimization, mitigation and monitoring measures through an alternatives analysis.<\/p>\n The release of the Draft PEIS opened a 45-day public comment, that was extended for 15-days for a total of 60-days. All comments received will be reviewed and considered by BOEM in preparation for the Final PEIS.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Ocean Wind” tab_id=”ocean-wind”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n On October 31, 2023, Orsted announced they would be ceasing development of both the Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2 projects. For more information, please see Orsted\u2019s press release<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n On February 29, 2024 BOEM approved a 2 year suspension<\/a> <\/i> of the commercial lease area leased by Ocean Wind LLC.<\/p>\n \u00d8rsted\u2019s Ocean Wind 1 lease area (OCS-A 0498) is located approximately 15 miles off New Jersey\u2019s coast. On June 21, 2019 the NJBPU announced that \u00d8rsted\u2019s Ocean Wind 1 Project<\/a> was awarded a solicitation for 1,100 MW offshore wind project. This 1,100 MW project has the potential to power nearly half a million homes in New Jersey.<\/p>\n More information on \u00d8rsted\u2019s Ocean Wind 1 project<\/a>.<\/p>\n More information on BOEM Lease area OCS-A 0498<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ocean Wind 1\u2019s Construction and Operations Plan (COP) was submitted to BOEM on August 15, 2019, with updated versions submitted on March 13, 2020, September 24, 2020, and March 24, 2021. BOEM will review the COP and approve, disapprove, or approve with modifications the proposed activities. On March 30, 2021, BOEM published a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Ocean Wind 1. The Notice of Intent initiates a 30-day public comment period and triggers the beginning of the State\u2019s review process under a Federal Consistency review. On June 24, 2022, BOEM published a Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Ocean Wind 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The Ocean Wind 1 DEIS can be viewed here<\/a>. On July 5, 2023, the Department of the Interior announced the approval of the construction and operation of the Ocean Wind 1 project offshore New Jersey. The ROD documents the decision to approve\u202fOcean Wind LLC\u2019s plan to construct up to 98 wind turbines and up to three offshore substations within its Lease Area.<\/p>\n On September 21, 2023, BOEM approved the Construction and Operations Plan (COP) for the Ocean Wind 1 Offshore Wind Farm Project and its associated project easement.<\/p>\n On April 27, 2023, the NJDEP approved an application for a CAFRA Individual Permit, Waterfront Development Individual Permit, Coastal Wetlands Permit and Freshwater Wetlands Individual Permit for the Ocean Wind 1 offshore wind project within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (\u201cBOEM\u201d) Lease Area OCS-A 0498 off the coast of New Jersey. The work proposed under this State permit application within State waters and onshore includes the installation of electric transmission cables to the B.L. England substation and the Oyster Creek substation, associated infrastructure along the cable routes including manholes, duct banks, and transition joint bays (TBJ\u2019s), the construction of two onshore substations, and maintenance dredging of Oyster Creek Federal Channel.<\/p>\n Additionally, NJDEP issued a Federal Consistency Certification on April 27th for the portion of the project in federal waters which includes the construction of up to 98 wind turbine generators within Lease Area OCS-A 0498, up to three (3) offshore alternating current substations, array cable installations linking the individual turbines to the offshore substations, and substation interconnector cables linking two of the three substations to each other.<\/p>\n These are the primary NJDEP permits which authorize construction of the Ocean Wind 1 project. It is anticipated that the project will also need NJPDES stormwater management and dewatering permits related to onshore construction. The NJDEP has not yet received applications for those activities.<\/p>\n NJDEP State permit<\/a> <\/i>. NJDEP Comments on Ocean Wind LLC\u2019s Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement<\/a> <\/i>. Ocean Wind 1 Federal Consistency Stay Agreement<\/a> <\/i>.<\/p>\n On December 8, 2020, Ocean Wind LLC submitted an application to BOEM to assign a portion of lease #OCS-A 0498 to Orsted North American Inc. BOEM approved the assignment on March 26, 2021. The lease area assigned to Orsted North America Inc. now carries the new lease number #OCS-A 0532 and is being developed under the project name \u201cOcean Wind 2\u201d. On June 30, 2021 the NJBPU awarded OREC\u2019s to Ocean Wind for their 1,148 MW Ocean Wind 2 project which will be located in lease area #OCS-A 0532.<\/p>\n Ocean Wind 2 anticipates submitting their Construction and Operations Plan (COP) to BOEM in early 2023. The wind turbines are expected to begin generating power in 2028.<\/p>\n More information on \u00d8rsted\u2019s Ocean Wind 2 project<\/a>.<\/p>\n More information on BOEM Lease area OCS-A 0532<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Empire Wind” tab_id=”empire-wind”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n On July 18, 2019, New York awarded OREC\u2019s for Equinor\u2019s 816 MW Empire Wind 1 Project. On January 13, 2021, New York awarded OREC\u2019s for Equinor\u2019s 1,260 MW Empire Wind 2 Project. The two projects combined propose up to 147 wind turbines and up to 2 offshore substations with two cable routes located within Lease Area OCS-A-0512, which is located approximately 19.5 miles (16.9 nautical miles) east of Long Branch, New Jersey and 14 miles (12 nautical miles) south of Long Island, New York. \u00a0In total the Project is expected to generate 2,076-megawatts of clean, renewable energy. \u00a0Once constructed will build out the entire OCS-A 0512 lease area.<\/p>\n More information on\u00a0Equinor\u2019s Empire Wind projects<\/a>.<\/p>\n More information on\u00a0BOEM Lease area OCS-A 0512<\/a>.<\/p>\n BOEM NEPA Process<\/strong><\/p>\n Empire Wind submitted its Construction and Operations Plan (COP) on January 10, 2020 with an updated version submitted on April 14, 2021. BOEM will review the COP and approve, disapprove, or approve with modifications the proposed activities. On June 24, 2021 BOEM published a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Empire Wind 1 & 2. The Notice of Intent initiated a 30-day public comment period and triggered the beginning of the State\u2019s review process under a Federal Consistency review. On November 18, 2022, BOEM announced the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) for the proposed Empire Wind energy project offshore New York.\u00a0 On Sep. 11, 2023, BOEM announced the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the proposed Empire Wind project offshore New York.<\/p>\n NJDEP\u00a0Federal Consistency <\/strong><\/p>\n On June 24, 2021, Empire Offshore Wind LLC (\u201cEmpire Wind\u201d) submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (\u201cNJDEP\u201d) a federal consistency certification and a copy of the Construction and Operation Plan (\u201cCOP\u201d) for the proposed construction and operation of the wind energy projects. Although neither Empire Wind project will be connecting its power to New Jersey\u2019s electrical grid, Empire Wind voluntarily submitted the consistency certification to NJDEP to review for any reasonably foreseeable effects of the Project on coastal use or resources for consistency with the enforceable policies of the New Jersey Coastal Zone Management Program. On September 15th, 2023,\u00a0the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Division of Land Resource Protection (Division) issued a Federal Consistency Certification\u00a0for the Empire Wind project. The Division concurs with Empire Wind\u2019s consistency certification that the project is consistent with the enforceable policies of the New Jersey Coastal Zone Management Program, N.J.A.C. 7:7-1.1 et seq., (last amended on October 5, 2021). The Division\u2019s Federal Consistency concurrence decision is based upon the information contained in BOEM\u2019s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), Empire Wind\u2019s Construction and Operations Plan (COP), including Empire Wind\u2019s commitment to measures intended to avoid, minimize, and mitigate the reasonably foreseeable effects associated with the project, consistent with N.J.A.C. 7:7-1.1 et seq., including N.J.A.C. 7:7-16.2.<\/p>\n Empire Wind Federal Consistency Certification Letter<\/a> <\/i> NJDEP Comment Letters<\/strong><\/p>\nState Activities<\/h4>\n
NJDEP Permits and Federal Consistency Certification<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n
NJDEP Comment Letters<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n
Federal Consistency Stay Agreement<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n
Atlantic Shores North<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\nNEPA Process<\/h4>\n
State Activities<\/h4>\n
NJDEP Comment Letters<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Federal Consistency Stay Agreement<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Attentive Energy Two<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\nLeading Light Wind<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\nNew York Bight<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\nProgrammatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS)<\/h4>\n
NJDEP Comment Letters<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n
Ocean Wind 1<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\nBOEM NEPA Process<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nOn May 22, 2023 BOEM announced the availability of the final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed Ocean Wind 1 wind energy project offshore New Jersey.
\nThe Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Ocean Wind 1 FEIS for Ocean Wind LLC’s Proposed Wind Energy Facility was published in the Federal Register on May 26, 2023.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
NJDEP Permitting<\/strong><\/h3>\n
NJDEP Permits and Federal Consistency Certification<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 BL England Plans – Stamped<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 Grading & Drainage Plan – Stamped<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 HDD Plans – Stamped<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 Offshore Plans – Stamped<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 Oyster Creek Plans – Stamped<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 Post Dev SW Plan – Stamped<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 State Permit Env Report<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 Response to Comments<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Federal Consistency Certification letter, signed<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP Ocean Wind 1 Fed Con Env Report<\/a> <\/i>.
\nNJDEP and Ocean Wind 1 Letter of Intent<\/a> <\/i>.<\/p>\nNJDEP Comment Letters<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\nNJDEP Comments on the Ocean Wind 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement<\/a> <\/i>.<\/p>\nFederal Consistency Stay Agreement<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Ocean Wind 2<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\nEmpire Wind<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n\n
\nEmpire Wind Federal Consistency Analysis<\/a> <\/i>
\nEmpire Wind and NJDEP Letter of Intent<\/a> <\/i><\/p>\n