BOEM NEPA schedule was extended 119 days, so NMFS milestones adjusted accordingly.
Cooperating under NEPA
Description:
Section 305(b)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) requires federal agencies to consult with NOAA Fisheries on any action or proposed action that may adversely affect Essential Fish Habitat (EFH). EFH exists throughout all of the coastal and offshore areas affected by the Empire Wind project and associated transmission system. The proposed action may adversely affect these resources, therefore EFH consultation is required. Based on anticipated adverse impacts to EFH, an expanded consultation will be required. The final consultation completion date is contingent upon NOAA Fisheries receiving sufficient information to initiate EFH consultation. Also note that NMFS has authorities under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act for this project. NMFS expects the coordination and consultation under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act to be concurrent with the EFH consultation.
Milestones:
PROJECT WEBSITE: Vineyard Offshore
All dates below are specific to the schedule of the Environmental Review and Permitting processes for this project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING STATUS
IN PROGRESS
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING
11/09/2026
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING PROCESSES
COMPLETED
SECTOR
Renewable Energy Production
CATEGORY
Project Category
FAST-41 Covered Projects
LEAD AGENCY
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
View FAST-41 Postings by Agencies
Other Agencies with Actions or Authorizations:
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of the Army, US Army Corps of Engineers - Regulatory
Environmental Protection Agency
Description:
Vineyard Northeast proposes to construct and operate the Project located in Lease Area OCS-A 0522, which covers approximately 132,370 acres (ac) and is located approximately 31 miles from Nantucket, Massachusetts and 39 miles from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Offshore components of the Project will consist of up to 160 wind turbine generators (WTG) and electrical service platform (ESP) positions within the Lease Area with one nautical mile spacing between positions. The WTGs and ESPs will be supported by monopiles or piled jacket foundations.
Between the Lease Area and shore, the offshore export cables will be installed within two offshore export cable corridors (OECC), the Massachusetts OECC and the Connecticut OECC.
-
- The Massachusetts OECC will travel from the northernmost tip of the Lease Area to the Horseneck Beach Landfall site in Westport, Massachusetts.
- The Connecticut OECC will travel from the southernmost tip of the Lease Area to three potential landfall sites: Eastern Point Beach, Ocean Beach, and Niantic Beach; all near New London, Connecticut.
Onshore components of the Project will include export cable landfall areas, high-voltage direct current onshore cables, high-voltage alternating current interconnection cables, converter and booster stations, and onshore substation facilities in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Original Target Date: 10/22/2025
Milestone: NOAA Issues any EFH Conservation Recommendations (Agency Action)
Requested extensions greater than 30 days for this Action are shown below:
NOAA Issues any EFH Conservation Recommendations (Agency Action) extended by 119
From: 10/22/2025
To: 02/18/2026