BOEM Releases Final Environmental Impact Statement for Offshore Wind Farm Project off Delmarva

On Friday, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) made available its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed offshore wind farm project that will be visible from the beaches in southeast Sussex County.

This large-scale project proposes to install up to 114 turbines, up to four offshore substation platforms, one meteorological tower, and up to four corridors for offshore export cables, which would make landfall in Delaware Seashore State Park.

The lease area is approximately 8.7 nautical miles (nm) offshore Maryland and approximately 9 nm offshore Sussex County.

The project is on federally leased land in Maryland waters.

Related Story:  US Wind Pier & Bulkhead Work Proposed in West Ocean City Harbor Closer to Reality

Related Story:  The Sussex County Council held a public hearing on an application for Conditional Use No. 2515 for Renewable Redevelopment, LLC, which is a subsidiary of US Wind.  This application is for an electric substation and utility uses at property next to the Indian River Power Plant.  This would be where the cables from the offshore wind project that come ashore at 3Rs beach would eventually connect. 

Over a dozen people spoke out against this application.  The County Council has deferred action until a later date.