Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced that two major wind energy initiatives have completed important environmental reviews, clearing the way for public comment and final review.
Onshore, Salazar announced the release of final environmental impact statements for a proposed wind power complex in Wyoming that would generate up to 3,000MW. The proposed Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Farm would contain up to 1,000 turbines. The project would be built on public, private and state land in Carbon County, Wyoming. Offshore, Salazar announced the publication of an environmental assessment for commercial wind leases and site assessment activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts. This step puts Interior in position to offer this area as one of the nation’s first offshore competitive lease sales before the end of the year. The environmental assessment for the Rhode Island/Massachusetts Wind Energy Area will be used by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to inform future leasing decisions as part of the Administration’s “Smart from the Start” offshore wind energy initiative.
Onshore, Salazar announced the release of final environmental impact statements for a proposed wind power complex in Wyoming that would generate up to 3,000MW. The proposed Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Farm would contain up to 1,000 turbines. The project would be built on public, private and state land in Carbon County, Wyoming. Offshore, Salazar announced the publication of an environmental assessment for commercial wind leases and site assessment activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts. This step puts Interior in position to offer this area as one of the nation’s first offshore competitive lease sales before the end of the year. The environmental assessment for the Rhode Island/Massachusetts Wind Energy Area will be used by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to inform future leasing decisions as part of the Administration’s “Smart from the Start” offshore wind energy initiative.