Offshore Wind

Fishermen seek voice in offshore wind power planning

The Rhode Island-based fishing vessel Virginia Marise near the Block Island Wind Farm. Deepwater Wind photo.

Finally achieving some traction with federal regulators, the commercial fishing industry is working to solidify its place at the table with the U.S. offshore wind energy industry.

But big obstacles remain. One is fishermen’s continuing distrust of their soon-to-be-new neighbors on the outer continental shelf.

“All of the developers have approached us…and we’re having a hard time finding people who are willing to be FLOs (fisheries liaison officers),” said Annie Hawkins, executive director of the...

https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/fishermen-seek-voice-in-offshore-wind-power-planning/

Next-gen offshore wind vessels: More speed, size, comfort

The next generation of crew transfer vessels (CTVs) for the budding U.S. offshore wind industry could draw on European trends toward more speed, air cushioned hulls and even hybrid power.

But with groundbreaking possible on the first major U.S. project by year’s end, wind companies should already be looking toward those designs, builders said Wednesday at the IPF19 wind conference in New York.

“The big demand for CTVs is during construction, and you will need them long before you think you will”...

https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/next-gen-offshore-wind-vessels-more-speed-size-comfort/

Equinor to support New York Bight whales monitoring

A humpback whale breaching. NOAA photo

Offshore wind power developer Equinor Wind US is entering a joint project with conservationists and scientists to deploy two new acoustic buoys to expand detection and monitoring of whales in the New York Bight.

To be operated with the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Massachusetts, the buoys will provide near real-time monitoring of species including sei, fin and humpback whales, and the extremely endangered North Atlantic...

https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/equinor-to-support-new-york-bight-whales-monitoring/

Gathering momentum, offshore wind industry meets in New York

urbines at the Deepwater Wind array off Block Island, R.I. Department of Energy photo.

The U.S. offshore wind industry is on the verge of starting its first major projects, but needs more coordination among East Coast states and predictability in federal leasing and permitting, advocates stressed Tuesday at the opening of the International Partnering Forum 2019 in New York City.

New York State’s goal of generating 9 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030 “has really helped push the U.S. industry to the tipping point,” said Liz Burdock, president and CEO of the Business Network...

https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/gathering-momentum-offshore-wind-industry-meets-in-new-york/

Survey finds broad New Jersey support for offshore wind power

Offshore wind turbines. Clean energy. Dong Energy photo by MEDVIND/Bent Sørensen.

A new Monmouth University Poll found broad support among New Jersey residents for developing offshore wind power, with 76% of respondents in favor.

That’s down from a peak of 84% in polls taken between 2008 and 2011, when the Obama administration began setting the stage for Mid-Atlantic wind energy leasing. The support drops sharply to 45% if residential electricity rates were to go up because of wind investment.

“This could be tricky for clean energy advocates.  Support for wind energy could...

https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/survey-finds-broad-new-jersey-support-for-offshore-wind-power/

Federal regulators, fishermen agree to consult on offshore wind

The Rhode Island-based fishing vessel Virginia Marise near the Block Island Wind Farm. Deepwater Wind photo.

Federal energy and ocean officials signed a formal agreement with commercial fishing advocates to work together on planning for offshore wind energy development.

It is a milestone for the East Coast fishing industry, which is pressing hard to have more influence over how the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is overseeing private wind power developers.

The 10-year memorandum of understanding between BOEM, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Responsible Offshore...

https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/federal-regulators-fishermen-agree-to-consult-on-offshore-wind/

Offshore wind developers court recreational fishing community

Fish swim among mussels growing on the base of a turbine tower at the Block Island Wind Farm in a promotional video by the American Wind Energy Association.

Offshore wind energy developers are courting recreational fishermen in the New York Bight, who could gain dozens of new fishing spots around turbine towers, but worry about impacts of the massive projects on traditional fishing grounds.

“Obviously the hot button for us is access,” said charter captain Paul Eidman of Anglers for Offshore Wind Power, a project of the National Wildlife Federation, which hosted the meeting in Toms River, N.J., on Wednesday along with the American Littoral Society...

https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/offshore-wind-developers-court-recreational-fishing-community/

+ More
Join Our Newsletter
Enter your email to receive a weekly round-up of shipping news.
icon
By subscribing, you agree with our privacy policy and our terms of service.