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…
Agency seeks comments from the public The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today announced it will begin conducting an environmental review of a Construction and Operations Plan (COP) submitted by Vineyard Wind, LLC, for its Vineyard Wind South offshore wind project. “The Biden-Harris administration has set an ambitious target of 30 gigawatts of installed offshore wind energy by 2030,…
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…
As it stands currently, the Internet is a utility available for purchase from various private providers including AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast. A growing movement to make Internet access a public utility is taking shape, though. Below, we discuss this movement and utility law. The Net Neutrality Debate The idea of “net neutrality,” the term for Internet service providers (ISPs) treating…
There are various programs available to electricity consumers in Rhode Island that provide incentives and cost savings. These programs have value to people and businesses who otherwise would not have access to renewable energy because of property constraints. As an energy lawyer, I am familiar with the state-created opportunities for both small-scale and larger solar programs and the assistance to…
The firm has been blogging frequently about renewable energy statutes and regulations lately. This is because renewable energy is a fast-moving and cutting edge area of law. Solar panel laws are no exception. Solar farm projects are popping up in the more rural areas of the state. Rural areas generally have more square footage, which is required for a solar…