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New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has coordinated on behalf of the State all the work being conducted by New York State agencies in the development of offshore wind resources. As part of its leadership role, NYSERDA spearheaded the development of the New York State Offshore Wind Master Plan, a comprehensive roadmap that encourages the development of offshore wind in a manner that is sensitive to environmental, maritime, economic, and social issues while addressing market barriers and aiming to lower costs.

Skipjack Offshore Energy LLC applied on Nov. 30 with the Maryland Public Service Commission for approval of a 120-MW wind project that would qualify for a Maryland set-aside program for offshore wind energy. The Skipjack Wind Farm is designed to help the State of Maryland meet its clean energy needs, while satisfying the requirements of the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2013.

The Research Activities Plan describes Dominion' s project to install two advanced-technology, 6-megawatt wind turbines in federal waters about 24 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach, Va. At peak production, the turbines would generate enough electricity to power up to 3,000 homes. Current bids for constructing the project range from about $300 million to $380 million, compared with an initial estimate of about $230 million.

This document was submitted to BOEM in December, 2013 and most recently revised in April, 2015. The full report can be found here.

In May, 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy announced its withdrawal of $40 million in funding. Dominion planned to consult with other members of VOWTAP to decide on the next steps. 

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) announce the results of two new multi-year marine wildlife survey efforts that focus on collecting baseline biological occurrence and distribution data for whale, turtle, and bird species within the Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) offshore Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The wildlife surveys found that the Massachusetts and Rhode Island WEAs avoid the high concentrations of protected species of whales, turtles and seabirds in these areas.

Reports:

Abundance and Distribution of Seabirds off Southeastern Massachusetts, 2011-2015.

Northeast Large Pelagic Survey Collaborative Aerial and Acoustic Surveys for Large Whales and Sea Turtles.

To develop its offshore wind resource responsibly and thoughtfully, New York State is crafting an Offshore Wind Master Plan (Master Plan). While the Master Plan is not expected to be released until 2017, this initial Blueprint serves to outline New York State’s comprehensive offshore wind strategy and advance the State’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy.