A series of virtual meetings are underway after the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) initiated an environmental review of the first proposed wind energy project off the North Carolina coast. BOEMfiled a Notice of Intent on July 30 to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind Project. The Construction and Operations Plan (COP), submitted by Kitty Hawk, LLC, proposes the construction of up to 69 wind turbine generators in the Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind Lease Area located about 27 miles east of Corolla, NC. The project would also include an offshore substation, inter-array cables, and two transmission cables. Export cables from the offshore site would connect to the onshore electric grid in Virginia Beach and could eventually supply power to Virginia. Construction could begin in 2024. If approved, BOEM said in a news release that the project would contribute toward the state’s goal of developing 2.8 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 and 8 gigawatts by 2040. North Carolina could also benefit economically during construction and throughout the project’s lifetime.
BOEM’s virtual scoping meetings will be held at the following dates and times (Eastern):
- Tuesday, August 10, 2021
5:30 PM ET
Agenda
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3TeVqP-zRm294V9mL0dvRw
Dial-in phone number: 888-788-0099 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 820 5880 9711
Passcode: 75046336
- Thursday, August 12, 2021
1:00 PM ET
Agenda
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CItuE6mUTN2jv2MpXKABOw
Dial-in phone number: 888-788-0099 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 810 7779 8424
Passcode: 78316145
- Tuesday, August 17, 2021
5:30 PM ET
Agenda
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_i_JhwY5iT2yBqOOQEBpMSw
Dial-in phone number: 888-788-0099 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 819 3977 8108
Passcode: 41607499
Comments can be submitted in any of the following ways:
- During any of the virtual public meetings, you may provide oral testimony. BOEM will limit such testimony to five minutes per speaker. Any speaker who wishes to provide more information than the five minutes allowed is encouraged to do so as a written comment.
- In written form, delivered by hand or by mail, enclosed in an envelope labeled, “Kitty Hawk Scoping Comments” and addressed to Program Manager, Office of Renewable Energy, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166; or
- Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/BOEM-2021-0050-0001 Click on the blue “Comment” button in the upper left-hand corner of the page. Enter your information and comment, then click “Submit Comment.”
BOEM does not consider anonymous comments. Please include your name and address as part of your submittal. All comments submitted will be made part of the public record and will be posted publicly without change. Comments must be sent by or postmarked no later than 11:59 PM on August 30, 2021.
RELATED PROGRAM NOTE: P.R.E. will air a new documentary on wind energy, WINDFALL, from New Hampshire Public Radio, Wednesday evening (August 25th) at 7 on P.R.E. News & Ideas. WINDFALL investigates the launch of the American offshore wind-energy industry, the political chicanery that has delayed it, and how past failures define future success--all as government seems poised to take real action on climate change. WINDFALL premieres Wednesday, August 25 at 7 p.m. on P.R.E. News & Ideas stations, and online at PublicRadioEast.org.
