A long-awaited broadened federal environmental review of overall effects of building 22 GW of offshore wind along the U.S. east coast over the next decade found mostly minor to moderate impacts, except in how placement of wind turbines and transmission cables could affect commercial fishing lanes.
Fishing trade groups sought the added offshore wind development analysis as part of the U.S. Interior Dept. final approval of the first large-scale U.S. wind farm, the 800-MW, $2.4 billion Vineyard Wind project proposed off the coast of Massachusetts. The agency required the cumulative impact study in a surprise move last year that has delayed project construction. Final approval now won’t come until year-end.