Statement: Biden Administration approves America’s second major offshore wind project

Media Contacts
Jolie Jaycobs

South Fork Wind achieves a critical step to supplying clean energy for the United States

Environment America Research & Policy Center

WASHINGTON — The South Fork Wind project received final approval on Wednesday from the Department of the Interior and was cleared to commence construction. South Fork Wind is the second commercial-scale offshore wind farm to reach final approval in the United States, behind Vineyard Wind I, which broke ground off the coast of Massachusetts in mid-November. 

South Fork Wind is projected to produce approximately 130 megawatts of power – that’s enough electricity to power about 70,000 Long Island homes each year. The project is located approximately 19 miles to the southeast of Block Island, Rhode Island, and 35 miles east of Montauk Point, New York. Construction is expected to begin in 2022 with the project being operational by the end of 2023. 

In response, Jolie Jaycobs, Environment America Research and Policy Center’s Offshore Wind associate, released the following statement: 

“This announcement came just in time to make it on the list of things I am thankful for this holiday season. South Fork Wind is America’s next step toward meeting the Biden administration’s offshore wind goal of 30 gigawatts by 2030. With each move toward that goal, more Americans will experience the environmental and public health benefits that come from switching over to clean, renewable energy. 

It’s exciting to start to see the domino effect of new offshore wind projects picking up speed in the United States. I look forward to seeing more projects follow in South Fork Wind’s steps in 2022 and beyond.” 

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