Federal Government Releases Environmental Impact Report For Sunrise Wind Farm

SHIRLEY, NY — The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has released the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 924-megawatt Sunrise Wind wind farm project planned off the coast of Long Island, opening up a 60-day window for public comment starting Thursday.

Sunrise Wind officials referred to the report's release as another milestone and critical step in the review of the project by the lead federal agency. The agency will use the findings from the review to inform its decision on whether to approve the project and what mitigation measures are required.

The joint venture between Orsted and Eversource will connect New York's electrical grid through a 100-mile submarine transmission cable from offshore wind turbines, over 30 miles east of Montauk Point. The project's cable will make landfall at Smith Point County Park in Shirley and connect to a grid at the Holbrook and West-Bus Substation.

A virtual meeting room will be on BOEM’s website starting on Thursday, and it will be available throughout the comment period. It will include information about the draft review, as well as how to register for the virtual public meetings and make comments.

The BOEM will hold three virtual public meetings over January and February.

The BOEM will hold three virtual public meetings, where the public can learn more about the review process, the EIS schedule, potential impacts from the proposed Sunrise Wind project, and proposals to reduce potential impacts. There will also be an opportunity for participants to provide comments on the draft review.

Those meetings will be held on Jan. 18, Jan. 19, and Jan. 23.

In a statement to Patch, Sunrise Wind officials said the federal permitting process puts the project "one significant step closer to advancing New York’s ambitious climate goals."

Once finished, the project will deliver "enough clean, renewable offshore wind energy to power nearly 600,000 New York homes, while accelerating development of the state’s local supply chain, creating 800 construction jobs and generating substantial investments in workforce training and infrastructure."

Officials said staffers are reviewing the draft findings and thanked the agency "for its comprehensive and diligent review."

"As always, we remain committed to working with our community and environmental partners to ensure that the project is built responsibly and sustainably," the statement said. "In the weeks to come, we look forward to hearing directly from residents and stakeholders as the review process continues.”

Last month, the New York State Public Service Commission gave the go-ahead so that the cable could be run from the farm to Smith Point.

The underground cable is planned to make landfall beneath Smith Point and then follow a route to Smith Point Marina, then William Floyd Parkway, Surrey Circle, Mastic Boulevard, Francine Place, Revilo Avenue, Victory Avenue, Horseblock Road, the Long Island Expressway South Service Road, Waverly Avenue, Long Island Avenue, and finally Union Avenue.

The cable landfall itself will be drilled horizontally up to 75-feet below the surface of the beach at Smith Point, and then exit about 2,000-feet from the shore.

Wind Farm officials expect the disturbance will be only be short-term and limited primarily to paved areas in the parking lots of Smith Point during the construction phase. Construction at both the beach and marina will be outside of the summer season, avoiding the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, which will further help to minimize the impact, officials said.

Sunrise Wind is one of two offshore projects that officials released environmental reviews for on Monday. A second project is planned for off the coast of Virginia. It's called Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind.

For more information on the projects, click here.