Ocean Wind 1 (OCW01) a 75/25 JV with PSEG, is a planned offshore wind farm located 15 miles off the coast of southern New Jersey. Survey activities are not occurring on this site currently. Ocean Wind 2 (OCW02) is a planned offshore wind farm located off the coast of southern New Jersey, adjacent to the Ocean Wind 1 project. Survey…
From RODA: Reminder to please fill out these two RODA surveys before August 1st if you have not already. Research Priorities: We are asking for the fishing industry’s help to identify research priorities essential to understand the impacts of offshore wind development on fisheries. Please fill out EITHER this google form or email the RODA Research Priorities Form and return…
BOEM is seeking comments (due July 30, 2021) on what information to consider in an Environmental Impact Statement for construction of the Vineyard Wind South project. The proposed project includes up to 130 wind turbine generators, 2-5 offshore substations, inter-array cables, and up to 5 export cables connecting to the onshore electric grid in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. This project would be…
It’s no secret in Rhode Island that the first offshore wind farm pilot project, the Block Island Wind Farm, has seen its share of issues with the cable that runs from Block Island to Crescent Beach in Narragansett. But what is the regulatory process for National Grid to obtain a decision from the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, or PUC,…
Our blog has written about the solar farm development siting and impacts on the surrounding wooded areas on a few occasions. This post will give some insight into the newer developments with regard to Rhode Island’s solar capabilities and renewable energy regulations, as evidenced in two recent reports. Renewable Energy Regulations and Economic Benefits As we discussed previously, the state…
In today’s blog post, we’ll take a look into renewable energy regulations updated in Massachusetts, which became the first state to adopt a Clean Peak Energy Standard. Energy Oversight in Massachusetts: the DOER The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (“DOER”) develops and implements the state’s energy supply policies and programs. They aim to keep the state’s energy supply diverse, secure,…
In the latest solar farm land dispute heard by the R.I. Superior Court, Freepoint Solar, LLC (“Freepoint”) appealed a decision of the Town of Richmond Zoning Board of Review (“the ZBR”). The ZBR denied Freepoint a special use permit for construction of a solar farm on property in the town’s R-3 residential zoning district. Today, we’ll explain why the Superior…
The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (“OER”) is currently working on implementation of Governor Raimondo’s January 2020 Executive Order. The goal of the Executive Order is to propel the state’s energy law and policy toward meeting 100% of its electricity demand with renewable energy resources by 2030. Today, we’ll discuss renewable energy law and policy, as well as cover…
Recently, we discussed applications of Rhode Island laws and regulations related to green energy developments, particularly solar developments. On April 20, 2020, the R.I. Superior Court issued a decision related to solar developments and zoning requirements, which we will review here. The Exeter Solar Project Green Development (referred to hereinafter as Green) has been developing various renewable energy projects in…
The renewable energy industries lobbied to get assistance in the latest federal stimulus package. The assistance language was included in the stimulus bill as drafted in the House previously. Review of the stimulus package reveals that the lobbying failed and energy law and policy in the U.S. will keep with the status quo. CARES Act The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and…