Welcome to the New England Wind draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) Virtual Meeting Room. Your participation is an essential part of BOEM’s environmental review process.
BOEM has prepared a DEIS for the New England Wind Project. The following documents are available for your viewing:
- Notice of Availability of the DEIS
- New England Wind DEIS
- New England Wind Construction and Operations Plan (COP)
- Scoping Summary Report
- Cumulative Historic Resources Visual Effects Analysis
In addition to the virtual meeting room, BOEM hosted three virtual public meetings, where the public could learn more about DEIS, ask questions, and provide oral or written testimony. These public hearings also served as public hearings for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 10 and Section 404 permit review.
The public meetings were held on the following dates and times.
Friday, January 27, 2023, 1pm
Wednesday, February 1, 2023, 5pm
Monday, February 6, 2023, 5pm
If you require a paper copy of the DEIS or public meeting materials, please contact us at boempublicaffairs@boem.gov or 202-531-0667.
The public comment period is now closed. BOEM accepted comments on the Draft EIS during the period Dec. 23, 2022, through Feb. 21, 2023.
What is BOEM's mission?
BOEM is the bureau within the Department of the Interior that oversees the environmentally and economically responsible development of our energy and mineral resources on almost 2.5 billion acres of the nation’s Outer Continental Shelf, or OCS. All our activities are underlain by our robust environmental program, which ensures that we develop and use the best available science in our decision making.
We also consider public input to be a critical component of safe and responsible offshore resource management. We solicit public comments from a host of stakeholders and ocean users, including the fishing community, mariners, and coastal communities, in our environmental reviews and regulatory programs.
Why have meetings during this time?
To the greatest extent possible, we are working to maintain services to the American people and our stakeholders, consistent with evolving guidance provided by the CDC and state and local health authorities. As such, we are planning to hold both virtual and in person public hearings. The public hearings are an opportunity for public involvement and an opportunity to provide comments on the DEIS.
What is the process for finalizing BOEM’s decision on the proposed Project?
Following the comment period, BOEM will analyze all comments received during the Draft EIS public comment period and prepare a Final EIS.
After the Final EIS is published, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires BOEM to wait a minimum of 30 days before issuing a Record of Decision (ROD). The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) may adopt the Final EIS and issue a joint ROD with BOEM or issue a separate ROD. The USACE and NOAA are both Cooperating Agencies on the environmental review of the project.
For BOEM’s decision, the ROD will state whether BOEM intends to approve the New England Wind Construction and Operations Plan for the proposed project within Lease Area OCS-A 0534.
How can stakeholders comment on this DEIS?
The public comment period is closed. BOEM accepted comment during the period Dec. 23, 2022, through Feb. 21, 2023.
