On May 15, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the availability of the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for two wind energy projects offshore New Jersey proposed by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind LLC.
Atlantic Shores is a 50-50 joint venture partnership between Shell New Energies US LLC and EDF-RE Offshore Development LLC (a subsidiary of EDF Renewables North America).
If approved, the two projects could generate about 2,800 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to power almost one million homes, BOEM said.
As part of the May 15 announcement, BOEM initiated a 45-day public comment period that ends at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 3. BOEM has scheduled four public meetings during the comment period. The input received during the comment period will inform the final EIS.
The draft EIS and more information on the meetings can be found in BOEM’s Virtual Meeting Room.
The public meetings will be held on the following dates and times (all times are Eastern):
In-person public meetings: These meetings will follow an informal, open-house style format. After checking in at the registration desk, attendees can visit stations to view project information posters staffed by BOEM subject matter experts. Attendees can also view pre-recorded video presentations providing a project description and descriptions of potential impacts that will be played continuously from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
The goal of these meetings is to help attendees provide written comments for the record. Comments can be provided by meeting with a court reporter at the meeting, by submitting comments to www.regulations.gov or by sending written comments to BOEM. Pre-registration is not required.
Wed., June 21, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn Manahawkin/Long Beach Island, 151 Route 72 West, Manahawkin, N.J.
Thu., June 22, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
Atlantic City Convention Center, 1 Convention Blvd, Atlantic City, N.J.
Virtual public meetings: During each virtual meeting, BOEM will provide an overview presentation, after which members of the public may make formal oral public statements for the record. Registration for the virtual public meetings is below.
Mon., June 26, 2023, 1 p.m.
Zoom Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qWVcG76ARImltIUnePRJlQ
Dial-in phone number (Toll Free): 888-788-0099
Meeting ID: 832 2926 2927
Password: 21932097
Wed., June 28, 2023, 5 p.m.
Zoom Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2Wp7wze4TeqaOT2g6xsEeA
Dial-in phone number (Toll Free): 888-788-0099
Meeting ID: 881 4396 0125
Password: 90014716
Visit BOEM’s webpage for more information: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/atlantic-shores-south.
