What's New?
BOEM will hold Environmental Justice Forums for New York & New Jersey over the course of the PEIS development period, on a quarterly basis through July 2024. These forums are intended to be bidirectional information sharing sessions, co-designed with participants, including federal agencies whose work overlaps with the BOEM activities, state agencies, and community-based organizations. More information can be found on the page below.
New York Bight Final Sale Notice Lease Area Descriptive Statistics
The following table contains a custom OceanReport and a description of each New York Bight lease area.
|
Lease |
OCS-A 0537 |
OCS-A 0538 |
OCS-A 0539 |
OCS-A 0541 |
OCS-A 0542 |
OCS-A 0544 |
Total |
|
Lessee |
Bluepoint Wind, LLC |
Attentive Energy, LLC |
Community Offshore Wind, LLC |
Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Bight, LLC |
Invenergy Wind Offshore, LLC |
Vineyard Mid-Atlantic, LLC |
-- |
| Ocean Reports[1] | https://bit.ly/3UtODkl | https://bit.ly/3R4jvF6 | https://bit.ly/3fbKOQu | https://bit.ly/3dAgcI9 | https://bit.ly/3BE5bNP | https://bit.ly/3xL321U |
-- |
|
Acres |
71,522 |
84,332 |
125,964 |
79,351 |
83,976 |
43,056 |
488,201 |
|
Developable acres[2] |
71,522 |
79,438 |
114,277 |
76,139 |
76,894 |
43,056 |
461,326 |
|
Installation Capacity (MW)[3] |
868 |
964 |
1,387 |
924 |
934 |
523 |
5,601 |
|
Homes powered[4] |
303,911 |
337,548 |
485,586 |
323,530 |
326,738 |
182,954 |
1,960,268 |
|
Power production (MWh/yr)[5] |
3,042,588 |
3,379,340 |
4,861,411 |
3,238,998 |
3,271,116 |
1,831,628 |
19,625,081 |
|
Max depth (meters[m]) |
61 |
63 |
51 |
51 |
54 |
46 |
-- |
|
Min depth (m) |
50 |
37 |
31 |
31 |
32 |
40 |
-- |
|
Closest distance to NY (nautical mile [nmi]) |
38 |
47 |
56 |
65 |
69 |
20 |
-- |
|
Closest distance to NJ (nmi) |
53 |
36 |
32 |
27 |
35 |
36 |
-- |
[1] OceanReports were generated on September 22, 2022.
[2]Developable area accounts for any “no surface occupancy” area in the lease which prohibits permanent placement of an object, such as a wind turbine, on the ocean surface.
[3] Energy capacity is based on a conservative power density of 3 MW/kilometers2. BOEM acknowledges that as offshore wind technology improves the projects proposed in the lease areas may have a greater installation capacity.
[4] Number of homes powered is based upon 350 homes per MW.
[5] Power production formula is Capacity (MW) * 8760 (hours/year) * 0.4 (capacity factor).
Progress Reports
Each New York Bight Lessee must submit a progress report to BOEM every six months until approval of a Construction and Operations Plan. The intent of the progress reports is to improve communication and transparency and to encourage Lessees to identify and engage with underserved communities, including environmental justice communities that may be disproportionately impacted by a proposed project. The progress reports are available below. If you have any questions, please contact the lessee and the BOEM project coordinator.
Bluepoint Wind, LLC (OCS-A 0537)
Lessee point of contact: Esther Siskind (Esther.Siskind@oceanwinds.com)
BOEM project coordinator: Luke Feinberg (Lucas.Feinberg@boem.gov)Attentive Energy, LLC (OCS-A 0538)
Lessee point of contact: Laura Klewicki (Laura.Klewicki@totalenergies.com)
BOEM project coordinator: Whitney Hauer (Whitney.Hauer@boem.gov)Community Offshore Wind, LLC (OCS-A 0539)
Lessee point of contact: Katherine Miller (Katherine.Miller@rwe.com)
BOEM project coordinator: Whitney Hauer (Whitney.Hauer@boem.gov)Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Bight, LLC (OCS-A 0541)
Lessee point of contact: Josh Gomez (joshua.gomez@atlanticshoreswind.com)
BOEM project coordinator: Annette Ehrhorn (Annette.Ehrhorn@boem.gov)Invenergy Wind Offshore, LLC (OCS-A 0542)
Lessee point of contact: Carmen Bernett (cbernett@invenergy.com)
BOEM project coordinator: Annette Ehrhorn (Annette.Ehrhorn@boem.gov)Vineyard Mid-Atlantic, LLC (OCS-A 0544)
Lessee point of contact: Geri Edens (gedens@vineyardoffshore.com)
BOEM project coordinator: Luke Feinberg (Lucas.Feinberg@boem.gov)
Fisheries Communication Plans
The New York Bight Lessees developed the following Fisheries Communications Plans which may be updated and refined. The Fisheries Communications Plan includes a description of the strategies that the Lessee intends to use for communicating with commercial and recreational fisheries prior to and during activities in support of the submission of a plan, such as a Site Assessment Plan or Construction and Operations Plan.
These plans are available on the lessee websites below.
Bluepoint Wind, LLC (OCS-A 0537)
Attentive Energy, LLC (OCS-A 0538)
Community Offshore Wind, LLC (OCS-A 0539)
Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Bight, LLC (OCS-A 0541)
Unsolicited Lease Request Offshore New York
On December 30, 2016, PNE Wind USA, Inc. submitted an unsolicited lease request for 40,920 acres offshore New York.
- PNE Wind USA, Inc. unsolicited request for an area offshore New York
- Shapefile for the unsolicited lease request
Call for Information and Nominations
BOEM published a Call for Information and Nominations (Call) on April 11, 2018 to obtain nominations from companies interested in commercial wind energy leases within the proposed area in the New York Bight. This region represents an area of shallow waters between Long Island (to the north and east) and the New Jersey coast (to the south and west).
- In addition to nominations, BOEM gathered public input on the potential for wind energy development in the Call Area. The comment period closed on July 30, 2018. All comments are available on https://www.regulations.gov.
- New York Bight - Call for Information and Nominations
- Map Showing the New York Bight Call for Information and Nominations Areas
- GIS File of the New York Bight Call for Information and Nominations Areas
- Nominations
View the NY Bight Call Area in the Northeast Ocean Data Portal.
Public Engagement
- Apr. 2021 Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force Meeting on the New York Bight
- Nov. 2018 Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force Meeting on the New York Bight
- May 2018 Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force Meeting on the New York Bight
- 2017 New York Bight Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force Webinar
More information can be found on the New York Activities page: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/new-york-activities
Wind Energy Areas
In March 2021, BOEM identified nearly 800,000 acres as Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in the New York Bight, between Long Island and the New Jersey coast. The agency initiated an environmental review, with public input, on these areas in federal waters for potential offshore wind leasing.
The goal of BOEM’s Area Identification process is to identify the offshore locations that appear most suitable for wind energy development taking into consideration coexistence with ocean users. As part of this process, BOEM removed areas of highest conflict from consideration. BOEM received input from the public and other governmental agencies through the Call for Information and task force meetings as part of the process. The New York Bight WEAs are located in an area of shallow waters between Long Island (to the north and east) and the New Jersey coast (to the south and west).
- Memorandum for Area ID in the NY Bight
- New York Bight Wind Energy Areas Summary
- Wind Energy Area Shape Files
Department of Defense (DoD) Assessment
DoD’s Military Aviation and Installation Assurance Siting Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) has been leading DoD’s review of the New York Bight Wind Energy Areas in support of BOEM’s efforts to deconflict the area. In June 2021, the Clearinghouse provided an update to their December 15, 2020 assessment by providing feedback on lease areas proposed in the Hudson South Wind Energy Area. In summary, the Clearinghouse has refined its analysis and indicated that a majority of the area that was initially designated as incompatible for wind energy development could be suitable for development with site-specific stipulations. A more complete summary of the updated assessment can be found on our website here: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/ny-bight-dod.
Proposed Sale Notice
BOEM published a Proposed Sale Notice (PSN) in the Federal Register on June 14, 2021. It provides detailed information about potential areas that could be available for leasing, proposed lease provisions and conditions, auction details (e.g., criteria for evaluating competing bids and award procedures), and lease execution. The proposal included up to eight lease areas in the New York Bight for potential commercial wind energy development. The lease areas have the potential to unlock over 7 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, powering over 2.6 million homes and supporting thousands of new jobs.
The comments received in response to this notice can be found here: https://www.regulations.gov/search/comment?filter=boem-2021-0033
Final Sale Notice and Shared Vision for the New York Bight
On Jan. 12, 2022, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced that BOEM would hold a wind energy auction on Feb. 23, 2022, in the New York Bight.
Secretary Haaland was joined by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and New York Governor Kathy Hochul to outline their shared vision for developing a robust offshore wind domestic supply chain that will deliver benefits to residents of New York and New Jersey and the surrounding region, including underserved communities. This collaboration will serve as a model for future engagement and establish the U.S. as a major player in the global offshore wind market.
- New York Bight Final Sale Notice
- A Shared Vision on the Development of an Offshore Wind Supply Chain
- New York Bight Final Sale Notice Decision Memorandum
- New York Bight Final Sale Notice Response to Comments
- Bidders Financial Form
- EFT Payment Instructions
- NY Bight Auction System Technical Supplement
- Maps
Commercial Leases
On Feb. 23, 2022, BOEM held an offshore wind auction for six lease areas in the New York Bight. The lease sale drew competitive winning bids from six companies totaling approximately $4.37 billion.
- Round by Round Results
- Executed Leases
- OCS-A 0537: OW Ocean Winds East, LLC
- OCS-A 0538: Attentive Energy LLC
- OCS-A 0539: Community Offshore Wind, LLC (name changed after lease issuance from Bight Wind Holdings, LLC)
- OCS-A 0541: Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Bight, LLC
- OCS-A 0542: Invenergy Wind Offshore LLC
- OCS-A 0544: Vineyard Mid-Atlantic LLC (name changed after lease issuance from Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind LLC)
New York Bight PEIS
On July 15, 2022, BOEM published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare the New York Bight Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS), which will analyze potential impacts from wind energy development activities in the NY Bight region. On August 11, 2022, BOEM extended the public comment period with an Extension Notice for the New York Bight PEIS which closed on August 30, 2022. Comments can be viewed at the following website: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/BOEM-2022-0034/comments.
During the public comment period, BOEM hosted three virtual public meetings where the public could learn more about the project, ask questions, and provide oral testimony.
The virtual public meetings were held on:
- Thursday, July 28, 2022
- Tuesday, August 2, 2022
- Thursday, August 4, 2022
More information, including instructions for commenting, is available in the Virtual Meeting Room.
New York Bight Final EA
On December 16, 2021, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced the availability of a final environmental assessment (EA) that assesses the potential impacts of the issuance of commercial and research leases within the identified wind energy areas (WEAs) of the New York Bight, and granting of rights-of-way and rights-of-use and easement in the region.
The EA considers potential environmental consequences of the Proposed Action, which includes site characterization activities (i.e., biological, archeological, geological, and geophysical surveys and core samples) and site assessment activities (i.e., installation of meteorological buoys). The EA also considers project easements associated with each potential lease issued and grants for subsea cable corridors in the New York Bight.
BOEM has considered the evaluation of the potential effects of the Proposed Action and has determined that the Proposed Action would not cause any significant impacts, and implementing the Proposed Action does not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
- Press Release Announcing Availability of New York Bight Final EA and FONSI
- Final EA and Appendices: Commercial and Research Wind Lease and Grant Issuance and Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf of the New York Bight
- Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
New York Bight Draft EA
On August 10, 2021, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced the availability of a draft environmental assessment (EA) that assesses the potential impacts of the issuance of commercial and research leases within the identified wind energy areas (WEAs) of the New York Bight, and granting of rights-of-way and rights-of-use and easement in the region.
The EA considers potential environmental consequences of site characterization activities (i.e., biological, archeological, geological, and geophysical surveys and core samples) and site assessment activities (i.e., installation of meteorological buoys). The EA also considers project easements associated with each potential lease issued and grants for subsea cable corridors in the New York Bight.
- Notice to Stakeholders (NTS) of Availability of New York Bight Draft EA
- Draft EA and Appendices: Commercial and Research Wind Lease and Grant Issuance and Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf of the New York Bight
- Notice to Stakeholders (NTS) of Extension of the Comment Period for New York Bight Draft EA
The availability of this EA initiated a 30-day public comment period. The public comment period was subsequently extended to September 23, 2021. During the public comment period, BOEM hosted two virtual meetings to allow the public to learn more about the draft EA, ask questions, and provide oral testimony.
The virtual meetings were held on:
- Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 5:00 PM Eastern
- Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 1:00 PM Eastern
For more information, please see: NY Bight Virtual Meeting Room.
Notice to Stakeholders
On March 29, 2021, BOEM released a Notice to Stakeholders (NTS) announcing its intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to consider the potential environmental consequences of site characterization activities (i.e., biological, archeological, geological, and geophysical surveys and core samples) and site assessment activities (i.e., installation of meteorological buoys) associated with issuing commercial and research wind energy leases in the WEAs, project easements associated with each lease issued, and grants for subsea cable corridors in the New York Bight. BOEM received approximately 3,000 comment letters during the 30-day scoping period (Docket number BOEM-2021-0021), which are available at https://www.regulations.gov/document/BOEM-2021-0021-0002/comment.