Vineyard Wind Decision Is Greenlight to Offshore Wind Industry

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today announced the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Vineyard Wind Project. This comes two months after the release of Vineyard Wind’s final environmental impact statement, and signals the imminent start of a new phase for the U.S. offshore wind industry. The issuance of Vineyard Wind’s ROD reflects federal support to jumpstart the U.S. offshore wind energy industry. It also demonstrates the Biden Administration’s commitment to deploying 30 GW by 2030, which is expected to bring in new investors who will support the build-out of a local U.S. supply chain.

The Record of Decision is BOEM’s “greenlight” for construction of the first U.S. commercial-scale project, approving the installation and operation of 84 offshore wind turbines arranged in a north-south and east-west orientation, with a minimum spacing of one nautical mile between them. The Vineyard Wind project is a microcosm of the potential economic boon that offshore wind offers the United States. Full construction and operations are projected to create 3,600 Massachusetts jobs and spur over $200 million in economic activity. In its 2021 Market Report, the Business Network identified 418 contracts nationwide, including 51 involving the Vineyard Wind project, and $3.6 billion in public and private investments even before a U.S. commercial-size project has begun construction. In just a few months, the number of contracts has swelled to over 500. It also brings a sorely needed regulatory decision for investors and re-positions the U.S. as a player in the trillion-dollar global offshore wind industry.

The below can be attributed to Liz Burdock, president and CEO of the Network: “Today, Vineyard Wind received a greenlight from the federal government to move forward with construction. This approval should signal “go” to all the supply chain companies that were waiting to see if the industry would move to commercial scale construction. Now is the time to get involved in this next great American industry and become part of the most exciting energy sector this country has seen in fifty years. All indicators point to the federal government continuing to move other projects forward through the permitting process, taking into account the unique characteristics of each Wind Energy Area. Consistent approval of these pending offshore wind projects will help catapult the U.S. as a leader in the offshore wind market and create thousands of well-paying jobs.”