First Major U.S. OWF Delayed

Massachusetts’ first offshore wind project has been delayed indefinitely by the federal government.

The $2.8 billion Vineyard Wind project off Massachusetts had planned to break ground on the project by the end of this year, but progress has been halted pending a final environmental review by the U.S. body.

On Friday, developer Vineyard Wind announced that to its “surprise and disappointment,” the federal government has postponed approving the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for an 800-megawatt project with a contract to sell power into Massachusetts that has already cleared several dozen regulatory hurdles.

"While we appreciate that the discussion on cumulative impacts is driven by rapid growth of the industry beyond our project, we urge the federal government to complete the review of Vineyard Wind 1 as quickly as possible. The project is poised to kickstart a new offshore wind industry that promises industrial growth along with new manufacturing and blue-collar employment across the United States from New England to Louisiana to Colorado and beyond," said a statement form the developers of the 800-megawatt offshore wind project planned for the waters off Martha's Vineyard.

"Even though the government decision will delay development of American offshore wind projects, Vineyard Wind remains deeply committed to the emerging industry’s success. We firmly believe that once regulators are fully satisfied, our project and dozens of others will deliver billions of dollars of new investment in ports, enhanced energy independence, and above all, high-paying, long-term jobs for thousands of Americans,” the statement added.