EPA approves air permit for construction activity of Revolution Wind offshore wind project
BOSTON (Sept. 29, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its approval of the final Clean Air Act Outer Continental Shelf air quality permit for Revolution Wind, LLC. The permit includes air pollution control requirements for the construction and operation of a windfarm of up to 880 megawatts. EPA's approval is in concert with other federal approvals for the project, including the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) Record of Decision.
"When built, the 880-megawatt Revolution Wind energy project will contribute to the Biden-Harris administration's goal of generating 30 gigawatts of clean, abundant energy from offshore wind by 2030, contributing to our clean energy future, growing clean tech jobs, and making sure our communities most overburdened by air pollution can breathe clean air," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "The approval of this Clean Air Act permit means construction can begin and that we will ensure the best available technology is used to reduce air pollution associated with construction activity and ongoing operation of the wind farm."
The permit regulates pollutants from "Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) sources," such as jack-up barges that will construct each wind turbine and the electrical service platforms. Additionally, emissions associated with air-emitting devices used during the operation of the windfarm, i.e., generators used as a source of back-up electricity for space conditioning where sensitive electronics are housed, are also regulated.
The permit allows construction to begin on the offshore "wind development area" (WDA) located in federal waters, approximately 7.5 nautical miles south of Nomans Land Island, Massachusetts. The WDA facility will consist of up to 100 offshore wind turbine generators and their foundations, two Offshore Substations, and inter-array cables.
More information
Electronic copies of the permit, fact sheet and all supporting materials, on EPA's website at: https://www.epa.gov/caa-permitting/epa-issued-caa-permits-region-1.
Clean Air Act Permitting by EPA: https://www.epa.gov/caa-permitting