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- The federal authorities designated Friday a large stretch of ocean off New England’s coast for offshore wind power development.
- The designation for development “avoids important areas for lobster fishing, North Atlantic right whale habitat, and other important fishing areas and habitats,” based on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
- Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills, in addition to three of the state’s 4 federal lawmakers, issued an announcement noting the plan “preserves vital fishing grounds and seeks to minimize potential environmental and ecological impacts to the Gulf of Maine.”
The federal authorities on Friday designated a large space off the New England coast for offshore wind manufacturing development, setting the stage for a doable lease sale throughout the Gulf of Maine.
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management stated in an announcement that the New England zone, which renewable power advocates have recognized as essential for the expansion of wind energy, “avoids important areas for lobster fishing, North Atlantic right whale habitat, and other important fishing areas and habitats.”
Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills, and three Maine lawmakers — Republican Sen. Susan Collins, unbiased Sen. Angus King and Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree — additionally issued a joint assertion saying the designated space “preserves vital fishing grounds and seeks to minimize potential environmental and ecological impacts to the Gulf of Maine.”
US’S FIRST LARGE OFFSHORE WIND FARM OFFICIALLY OPENS IN NEW YORK, WITH MORE TO COME
The transfer got here a day after the nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm opened off Montauk Point, New York. Environmental teams cheered the announcement, however some members of the industrial fishing trade, which has opposed wind development in areas the place they entice lobsters, stated they nonetheless have considerations about finding offshore wind within the space.
Pictured above is the primary working South Fork Wind farm turbine on Thursday, December 7, 2023. America’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm is now open. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
“There are still too many unanswered questions about the impacts of offshore wind on the marine environment, commercial fishermen and our fishing heritage,” stated Kevin Kelley, a spokesperson for the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, a large fishing commerce group.
Kelley stated the group appreciates that the wind power space removes some of essentially the most important fishing teams, however nonetheless believes no half of the Gulf of Maine needs to be “industrialized with offshore wind.”
Several environmental and labor teams got here out in favor of the proposal on Friday.
“For the most part, this designation has carved out the most sensitive areas and excluded them from wind turbine construction,” stated Kate Sinding Daly, senior vp of legislation and coverage at Conservation Law Foundation.
The wind power space consists of about 2 million acres off Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire which are 23 miles to 92 miles off the coast relying on the situation, the BOEM stated. The company stated development of the realm may doubtlessly surpass state targets for offshore wind power within the Gulf of Maine.
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BOEM is predicted in a couple of days to announce its intent to arrange an environmental evaluation of potential impacts of offshore wind leasing actions within the space.
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