University of Maine’s New England Aqua Ventus I, An Offshore Wind Advanced Technology Demonstration Project, Offshore Monhegan Island in the Gulf of Maine
SUMMARY
DOE is proposing to provide funding to the University of Maine to support the development of an offshore wind advanced technology demonstration project (i.e. New England Aqua Ventus I) consisting of two turbines on floating foundations in the Gulf of Maine, approximately 2.5 miles south of Monhegan Island, Lincoln County, Maine and 12 miles off the mainland. This proposed project is also known as the Maine Aqua Ventus I project. Development actions include design, construction, and commissioning of the proposed project; environmental monitoring; and five years of post-construction structural and performance monitoring data collection by the University of Maine. Additional project activities and/or potential impacts from the project would occur in or near Hampden, Searsport, Port Clyde, Monhegan Island and Pemaquid, Maine. The operation, maintenance and eventual decommissioning of the proposed project are considered connected actions under the Council on Environmental Quality's Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1508.25) and will be analyzed in the Environmental Assessment (EA) as part of the Proposed Action.
DOE intends to prepare an EA to evaluate the potential direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of the New England Aqua Ventus I project.
WHAT’S NEW
February 2017 – DOE is requesting public input on defining the scope of environmental impacts and issues to be addressed in the DOE Environmental Assessment (EA) for the New England Aqua Ventus I project.
Public scoping is a key component of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and is used to provide an opportunity for the public to help define the scope of environmental impacts and issues to be addressed in depth in the EA. All public comment opportunities and meetings are posted below.
PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS
DOE will conduct the following public scoping informational meetings:
•February 28, 2017 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Location: Fire Department Meeting Room at the Town of St. George Office, 3 School Street, Tenants Harbor, Maine 04860. Meeting format: open house.
•March 1, 2017 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Location: Monhegan Island School, 1 Monhegan Avenue, Maine 04852. Meeting format: short presentation with an open house to follow. For instructions on remote participation for this meeting, click here.
Please check this webpage prior to the scheduled meetings for additional meeting information including any delays or postponements due to inclement weather.
For a summary of the Key Steps in the DOE NEPA Process for the New England Aqua Ventus I project, click here.
OVERVIEW
For more information on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Offshore Wind Advanced Technology Demonstration Projects, click here.
PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES
DOE welcomes your input on DOE’s Proposed Action, alternatives, and environmental issues to be reviewed in the EA. To ensure DOE receives your written comments in time for consideration in preparation of the draft EA, please provide them on or before March 22, 2017. Written comments can be submitted via email at AquaVentus1EA@ee.doe.gov or via mail to:
Ms. Diana Heyder, NEPA Division
U.S. Department of Energy
Golden Field Office
15013 Denver West Parkway
Golden, CO 80401
The complete public scoping notice and project description are available for your use below.
DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
- FEBRUARY 15, 2017
- FEBRUARY 15, 2017
University of Maine’s New England Aqua Ventus I, An Offshore Wind Advanced Technology Demonstration Project, Offshore Monhegan Island in the Gulf of Maine
- FEBRUARY 10, 2017
Flowchart summarizing the key steps in the DOE National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for the New England Aqua Ventus I Project.
https://www.energy.gov/nepa/ea-2049-university-maine-s-new-england-...
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