EPA approves Air Permit for Construction & Operation of Vineyard Wind offshore wind project

Wind energy – U.S.A.

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the final Clean Air Act Outer Continental Shelf air quality permit to Vineyard Wind 1, LLC.

The permit includes air pollution control requirements for the construction and operation of the 800-MW windfarm. By issuing this permit, construction can now begin on the nation’s first major offshore wind project, which will be in federal waters off the coast of Massachusetts.

The permit regulates pollutants from ‘Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) sources’, such as jack-up barges that will construct each wind turbine and the electrical service platforms.

Additionally, emissions associated with air-emitting devices used during the operation of the windfarm, i.e., generators used as a source of back-up electricity for space conditioning where sensitive electronics are housed, are also regulated.

“The innovative Clean Air Act permit issued for the Vineyard Wind project will ensure that the vessels working to construct the wind farm operate with the best available technology to reduce emissions of air pollution during the construction and ongoing operation of the wind farm,” said EPA New England Acting Regional Administrator Deb Szaro. “The Biden Administration has called on the nation to build a clean energy economy and expand opportunities for development of an American offshore wind industry. EPA New England is proud to play a role helping to accomplish this goal.”

Today’s action by EPA is the first of seven windfarms, totalling over 4,000 MW of proposed capacity, that EPA Region 1 is evaluating for Clean Air Act construction and operating permits on the OCS over the next several years.

The 800-megawatt Vineyard Wind energy project will contribute to the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of generating 30 gigawatts of energy from offshore wind by 2030.

The project will be located approximately 12 nautical miles offshore Martha’s Vineyard and 12 nautical miles offshore Nantucket in the northern portion of Vineyard Wind’s lease area.

Original Source: https://ocean-energyresources.com/2021/05/21/epa-approves-air-permit-for-construction-operation-of-vineyard-wind-offshore-wind-project/