Federal Consistency Certifications have been submitted to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Coastal Management Program (DCMP) for the following:

US Wind Maryland Offshore Project – Construction and Operations Plan (2022.0088)

US Wind, Inc. proposes to develop a commercial-scale, offshore wind energy project in the Lease Area known as Lease OCS–A 0490 offshore of Maryland. The proposed project is comprised of up to 121 wind turbine generators, up to four offshore substations, up to four offshore export cables, and one meteorological tower, in a gridded array pattern distributed across the Lease Area. The offshore export cables are proposed to land at 3R’s Beach and to interconnect into a proposed substation to be constructed on tax parcel 233-2.00-2.01 adjacent to the Indian River Power Plant in Sussex County, Delaware.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management submitted the federal consistency certification with the Construction and Operations Plan to the DCMP on behalf of US Wind, Inc. on June 23, 2022, with updated information received on March 14, 2024, and April 1, 2024. US Wind, Inc. and the DCMP entered into two stay agreements to pause the project review in accordance with 15 CFR 930.60(b) until February 9, 2024. The project review has commenced and is currently set to be completed on July 9, 2024. The proposed activity is subject to review pursuant to 15 CFR 930 subpart E for consistency with the policies of the DCMP.

US Wind Maryland Offshore Project – USACE Licenses/Permits Review (2022.0088D)

US Wind, Inc. proposes to develop a commercial-scale, offshore wind energy project in the Lease Area known as Lease OCS–A 0490 offshore of Maryland. The proposed project is comprised of up to 121 wind turbine generators, up to four offshore substations, up to four offshore export cables, and one meteorological tower, in a gridded array pattern distributed across the Lease Area. The offshore export cables are proposed to land at 3R’s Beach and to interconnect into a proposed substation to be constructed on tax parcel 233-2.00-2.01 adjacent to the Indian River Power Plant in Sussex County, Delaware. Overall, the project as proposed, would permanently impact approximately 1,836 acres of open water habitat and would include the dredging of material to facilitate construction of the offshore wind project and associated infrastructure.

The DCMP received the federal consistency certification for the proposed use of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permits and authorizations associated with the project on October 23, 2023, with updated information received on March 14, 2024, and April 1, 2024. US Wind, Inc. and the DCMP entered into a stay agreement to pause the project review in accordance with 15 CFR 930.60(b) until February 9, 2024. The project review has commenced and is currently set to be completed on July 9, 2024. The proposed activity is subject to review pursuant to 15 CFR 930 subpart D for consistency with the policies of the DCMP.

Comments concerning these Federal Consistency Certifications will be accepted through June 5, 2024. Comments may be sent to: Delaware Coastal Programs, Ms. Kimberly Cole, Administrator, 100 W. Water Street, Suite 7B, Dover, DE, 19904, or electronically to DNREC_DCP_PublicComment@delaware.gov (Please note that there are underscores between DNREC, DCP, and Public.). For additional information please visit de.gov/dnrecnotices or call (302) 739-9283.

Related Topics:  climate coastal energy, coastal programs, dcmp, energy, federal consistency, offshore wind, permitting and regulation, public notice, us wind