U.S. Department of Interior delays Vineyard Wind project in Massachusetts

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced that it will delay the Vineyard Wind offshore wind project in Massachusetts.

The Department of the Interior said the project would be delayed so that a supplemental environmental study can be conducted. The decision was met with disappointment by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

“The Department of the Interior’s regrettable decision to further delay the review of the Vineyard Wind project undermines the Trump Administration’s American energy dominance agenda and a major U.S. economic growth opportunity. Offshore wind development is expected to result in a $70 billion investment into the American energy supply chain,” Tom Kiernan, AWEA CEO said. “The clear value of offshore wind to generate large amounts of homegrown clean energy, grow tens of thousands of American jobs, and reinvigorate coastal infrastructure can’t be overlooked. The offshore wind energy industry will continue to work with other ocean users to find solutions that help all prosper and though today’s decision strikes at the heart of our industry’s momentum, we will overcome this regulatory barrier to U.S. energy production.”

The proposed $2.8 billion wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts had gained widespread support from federal and state officials, including Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Reps. Rob Bishop (R-UT), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), and Rob Wittman (R-VA). It also got the support of former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. It drove record-breaking bids totaling more than $472 million from proven energy developers.

Offshore wind is a huge opportunity for companies to create jobs. A recent study found that building 18.6 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030 would create a nearly $70 billion U.S. supply chain.