Several years of investment by the State of New York in wind farms have generated many megawatts of electricity. In the upcoming weeks, a third energy power project located offshore could add to the two power plants that exist in Madison County.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy and Management (BOEM) recently announced a Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS) for a proposed 2,076 MW Empire Wind energy project.
Empire Offshore Wind submitted a Construction and Operation Plan (COP) as part of its proposal for two wind energy facilities and associated export cables.
The proposal includes up to as many as 147 offshore wind turbine generators. Ultimately, the cables and substations will connect to the electrical grid in Brooklyn and Long Beach. The DEIS will analyze potential environmental impacts as laid out in the COP as well as several alternatives. The BOEM will assimilate the information from the DEIS to determine whether to grant approval to Empire Wind’s COP.
Process for siting of power generation facilities
The regulatory process for any prospective wind energy facility in New York requires approval from mechanisms enforced by state law. These two are:
- Article 10: This law permits the New York State Board on Electronic Generation Siting and the Environment to issue certificates authorizing the construction or expansion of all electrical and renewable generating facilities of 25 megawatts or more.
- Office of Renewable Energy Siting: Unlike Article 10, this forum establishes a comprehensive review process tailored to renewable energy projects.
Energy law
Regulatory proceedings with regard to energy development demand attention to detail, both in substance as well as timeliness. State agencies apply laws to ensure that legally authorized entities and new project balance considerations of public health and welfare with specific needs. Attorneys who understand these concerns can offer guidance.