The wind industry put on a brave face yesterday as the Trump administration disclosed it wouldn't complete permitting for the nation's first offshore wind farm until after the 2020 election a delay of a year and a half from earlier targets.
The American Wind Energy Association praised the administration for offering "clarity" to the industry. So did Vineyard Wind LLC, the developer behind the 84-turbine proposal off the coast of Martha's Vineyard, Mass., even though it will now miss its most optimistic operation target of 2022.
"Any delay is a challenge," said Laura Morton, senior director of policy and regulatory affairs for offshore at AWEA. But she said having a schedule in place albeit one that the industry hopes will accelerate before the end of the year is important.
Still, some were skeptical about the extended delay given the Trump administration's mixed messaging on the wind sector.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management acknowledged Monday in the president's budget proposal a need for more funding to meet the demands on its renewable energy shop as proposed offshore wind projects continue to stack up.
Advertisement
The Business Network for Offshore Wind later called the move an encouraging sign that the White House values the offshore wind sector.
But President Trump in a speech Monday in New Hampshire repeated his belief that "windmills" kill too many birds.
"There is almost never a unified voice coming from the administration," said Anthony Logan, senior wind analyst at Wood Mackenzie.
The "true intentions" of the administration, he added, remain murky.
The Trump administration appeared gung-ho on offshore wind when Secretary Ryan Zinke helmed the Interior Department, but his replacement, David Bernhardt, has been far more restrained.
Vineyard Wind's Massachusetts project was expected to be the first to secure federal permitting last July. But BOEM stalled the final environmental review, saying a study of the cumulative impacts on fisheries from a potentially extensive wind industry was needed before Vineyard could move forward (Greenwire, July 18, 2019).
Vineyard Wind lease area. Vineyard wind
BOEM acting chief Walter Cruickshank later shushed fears of political opposition to wind, saying the administration had continued to be supportive of an all-of-the-above energy approach.
Cruickshank told the offshore wind industry at a conference in October that a draft of the cumulative analysis should be done by early 2020 and that it would smooth the way for future projects (Climatewire, Oct. 23, 2019).
Concerns about the study linger.
It was late in the game for the agency to realize that the many offshore projects in the pipeline would have a cumulative impact, said Logan of Wood Mackenzie.
"The idea that they have to go back and do this raises some serious questions of intent and competence," he said.
And given the level of expertise and experience at BOEM, the issue doesn't seem to be one of competence, he added.
Tracey Moriarty, a spokeswoman for BOEM, said the new timeline for Vineyard represents the agency's desire to take a "robust" look at the impacts from wind energy and incorporate new information, such as additional state offshore wind targets.
Interior spokeswoman Carol Danko did not directly answer a question about pushing the Vineyard decision until after the presidential election. She noted that an expanded cumulative analysis is a direct response to stakeholder input. It would incorporate changes that Vineyard has made to its construction plans, such as an intention to build larger turbines than were first proposed.
Aside from political questions, developers have lined up to fill a new market created by state commitments to buy offshore wind. And BOEM's new schedule inspired scolding from those concerned about the pipeline of projects affected by delays.
Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, called the delay "disappointing."
"Regulatory delays especially of a new industry could open the door to unexpected and unintended bottlenecks and holdups," Milito said.
But Milito also nodded to the "complexity" of BOEM's undertaking and the need for an environmental review that could stand up to litigation "filed in an attempt to block the ascendant offshore wind industry."
Logan of Wood Mackenzie said projections for the Vineyard project remain positive despite the delay.
"It's more challenging, but they have a very talented team over there," he said.
The company should be able to hold on to industrial tax credits and will benefit from the continually falling costs of development.
Vineyard had initially signaled that the permitting delay could threaten its project but has since walked back on that concern. It continues to seek offshore wind opportunities in the Northeast and recently won an offshore wind contract with Connecticut.
The wider market also retains a positive outlook, said Jeff Grybowski, former CEO of Deepwater Wind, the company that built the Block Island pilot project, the first U.S. offshore wind installment.
Grybowski said he has yet to see anything from the Trump administration that would make him think the market was at risk, a point of view he called somewhat "contrarian."
BOEM appears to be trying to proceed with caution, he said.
"It's better to make some early compromises that might cost you time or money," Grybowski said, "if it increases your chances of success in the long run."
Continue reading here:
RENEWABLE ENERGY: Offshore wind: What are Trump's 'true intentions'? - E&E News
- Equinor stepping up gas investments at North Sea Troll project - Offshore magazine - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Coastal community meetings on proposed offshore wind leases to be held - Curry Coastal Pilot - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Extending USV surveying from offshore to inland waters - Hydro International - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- People on the move | Offshore - Offshore magazine - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project reaches key milestone - Daily Energy Insider - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- BOEM Issues Final EIS for Two Wind Projects Offshore New Jersey - Offshore Engineer - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Why least-cost auctions are 'unrealistic' for offshore wind on US west coast - Windpower Monthly - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Fifth Arctic and Offshore Patrol ship officially named HMCS Frdrick Rolette - CTV News Atlantic - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- CAISO Approves Transmission Plan Integrating Offshore Wind - North American Windpower - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- TotalEnergies plans to invest $600m in oilfield offshore Congo - Offshore Technology - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Two wind farms completed offshore western Taiwan - Offshore magazine - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- HSM Offshore Energy doubles fabrication capacity with second location in the Netherlands - WorldOil - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Floating wind could transform offshore energy but companies need to work together and embrace innovation - Professional Engineering - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- rsted ditches deal on $625M vessel for installing turbines - E&E News by POLITICO - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Biden's unnecessary regulations on offshore oil rigs threaten jobs in Gulf States - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Sonatrach awards $2.3bn contract for gas-boosting work in Algeria - Offshore Technology - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Readers sound off on offshore wind projects, Diddy's assault and Hannah Arendt - New York Daily News - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Fifth Arctic and offshore patrol vessel officially named HMCS Frederick Rolette - SaltWire Halifax powered by The Chronicle Herald - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- New York Student Equity Fund Available for State of the Science Workshop on Offshore Wind Energy, Wildlife, and ... - New York City Central Labor... - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- rsted-Eversource Partnership Announces Cancellation of Agreement for Charybdis (Updated) - CT Examiner - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- XINSURANCE Named Title Sponsor Of Next Weeks Shootout Offshore Race - SpeedontheWater - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Equinor to invest $1.1bn in Troll gas field to boost production - Offshore Technology - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Senate passes offshore wind bill - delawarebusinessnow.com - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Equinor Makes Discovery in Svalin Field Offshore Norway - Rigzone News - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Offshore cable ops resume at Ireland-Wales interconnector after a break - Offshore Energy - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Primacy or Offshore Balancing: A Conceptual Analysis of U.S.Foreign Policy - Modern Diplomacy - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Cyan, Ocean Infinity partner for APAC offshore wind projects - Offshore Energy - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- First Of The 176 Monopile Foundations Fitted At Dominion's Virginia Offshore Wind Farm - Marine Insight - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- Mexico needs to act to stem oil and gas production declines, report claims - Offshore magazine - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- California congressman urges closer consultation with tribes on offshore wind - Jackson Hole News&Guide - May 25th, 2024 [May 25th, 2024]
- EURO 2024 Young Player of the Tournament Offshore Odds, Preview, and Prediction (2024) - The Latest Sports ... - OffshoreSportsbooks.com - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Irish 2,000 Guineas Offshore Odds, Preview, and Prediction (2024) - The Latest Sports Betting News - OffshoreSportsbooks.com - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Gervonta Davis vs Frank Martin Offshore Odds, Preview, and Prediction (2024) - The Latest Sports Betting News - OffshoreSportsbooks.com - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Roadmap for energy skills transition secures backing from wind, oil and gas sectors - Renewable Energy Magazine - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Spatiotemporal distribution, evolution, and complementarity of wind and waves in China's offshore waters and its ... - ScienceDirect.com - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Irish 1,000 Guineas Offshore Odds, Preview, and Prediction (2024) - The Latest Sports Betting News - OffshoreSportsbooks.com - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- DNREC and US Wind hold offshore wind meeting June 5 in Lewes - wrde.com - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Adele To Release New Album 2024 Offshore Odds, and Prediction - The Latest Sports Betting News - OffshoreSportsbooks.com - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Offshore Wind Public Information Session in Lewes Scheduled for June - WBOC TV 16 - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- RWE Investigates Impact of Artificial Reefs at Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Farms - Greentech Lead - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Biden administration hit with one more lawsuit over LNG permitting freeze - Offshore Energy - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- GIW to Discuss Bigger Slurry Pump Trends at Oil Sands Conference - Offshore Technology - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- CIP Inaugurates the Changfang-Xidao Offshore Wind Farms in Taiwan - Renewable Energy Magazine - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Offshore Wind Turbine Installation Vessel Market will reach US$ 5.46 Billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 14.9% - openPR - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Norway Boost Offshore Wind Ties with East of England - Offshore Engineer - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- First foundation installed for Dominion Energy's massive CVOW offshore windfarm - Riviera Maritime Media - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Perenco Unit Makes First Discovery Offshore DRC in 30 Years - Rigzone News - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Rovco wins survey work on 1.5GW Outer Dowsing offshore wind farm - Splash247 - Splash 247 - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- F.lli Righini Delivers to Heerema Marine Contractors World-First Lifting and Upending Tools for the EnBW He Dreiht ... - Offshore WIND - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- DeepOcean performs first-ever subsea dredging operations remotely from shore - Offshore Energy - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Windar and Polish City Strengthen Ties for New Offshore Tower Facility - Offshore WIND - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- An up-close look at Americas first major offshore wind farm - Eyewitness News 3 - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- MaineDOT Applies for Grant to Build Offshore Wind Port On Sears Isl. - Construction Equipment Guide - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Offshore wind industry targeted in latest lawsuits by NJ towns - Asbury Park Press - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- US Competition Selects Finalists in Floating Offshore Wind Technologies - The Maritime Executive - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- KNOT Offshore Partners not worried by growing shuttle tanker orderbook - TradeWinds - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- GDG and ABAN Power to develop offshore wind in Asia-Pacific - Power Technology - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Romanov UFC 302 Offshore Betting Odds, Preview, Picks - The Latest Sports Betting News - OffshoreSportsbooks.com - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Offshore Wind Turbine Market Valuation USD 39.2 billion | Europe Dominate by UK, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, - EIN News - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Guyanas economy surges on offshore success in prolific Stabroek block, EIA reports - EnerCom Inc. - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- BASF to Buy Stake in German Offshore Wind Farms From Vattenfall -- Update - MarketWatch - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Denmark Launches Massive Offshore Wind Auction | Offshore Wind - Offshore WIND - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- rsted and OEG Renewables Form Offshore Wind Pact in US | Offshore Wind - Offshore WIND - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Vestas and Maersk team up for South Korean offshore wind - Recharge - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Denmark's offshore wind parks currently generate 2.7 gigawatts of electricity - The Mountaineer - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- rsted Buys Sunrise Wind Stake from Eversource - Offshore WIND - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- 'More non-turbine challenges' | GE hits back in New York round 3 offshore wind demise - Recharge - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- 'Heart-breaking': Refugees once detained offshore by Australia warn the UK government not to push through its ... - The Albany Herald - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Hearing scheduled this week on bill to advance offshore wind - delawarebusinessnow.com - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Aker BP begins production from Hanz field offshore Norway - Offshore Technology - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Denmark launches its biggest offshore wind farm tender - The Caledonian-Record - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Vestas and Maersk to Build Offshore Wind Hub in South Korea | Offshore Wind - Offshore WIND - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- U.S. Navy To Convert Oil Rigs Into Offshore Military Bases To Counter China In The Pacific - Marine Insight - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- BASF seals deal to buy into gigascale Vattenfall offshore wind to power chemicals complex - Recharge - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- First Moray West 14.7MW Offshore Wind Turbine Comes Up - Offshore Engineer - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- NYSERDA concludes New York's third offshore wind solicitation without final awards - 4C Offshore - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Galp Energia says Namibia offshore field could contain 10B barrels of oil - Seeking Alpha - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Framework Agreement signed with rsted in the US - 4C Offshore - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- A submerged concern: offshore wind cables - Martha's Vineyard Times - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Possible human smuggling operation thwarted offshore in South Florida - cw34.com - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]