[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 231 (Tuesday, December 2, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 71446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28164]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Docket No. BOEM-2014-0077; MMAA104000]


Environmental Assessment for Virginia Offshore Wind Technology 
Advancement Project on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf Offshore 
Virginia

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has prepared an 
Environmental Assessment (EA) to consider the reasonably foreseeable 
environmental consequences associated with the approval of wind energy-
related research activities offshore Virginia as proposed by the 
Virginia Department of Mines, Mineral, and Energy (DMME). The purpose 
of this notice is to inform the public of the availability of the EA 
and to solicit public comment on the EA for a 30-day public comment 
period.

DATES: BOEM will conduct a public information meeting to explain the 
proposed activities analyzed in the EA and provide additional 
opportunity for public comment on the EA. The meeting will be held on 
Wednesday, December 17, 2014, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Virginia 
Aquarium and Marine Science Center, 717 General Booth Boulevard, 
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Morin, BOEM Office of 
Renewable Energy Programs, 381 Elden Street, HM 1328, Herndon, Virginia 
20170-4817, (703) 787-1340 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 6, 2013, BOEM issued a 
Determination of No Competitive Interest (78 FR 73882) for a research 
lease requested by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and 
Energy (DMME). DMME subsequently submitted a research activities plan 
(RAP) that describes the proposed construction, operation, maintenance, 
and eventual decommissioning of Virginia Offshore Wind Technology 
Advancement Project (VOWTAP). The RAP included the results of site 
characterization studies, such as geophysical, geotechnical, 
archaeological, and biological surveys. DMME's proposed project would 
consist of two 6-MW wind turbine generators (WTGs), a 34.5-kilovolt 
(kV) alternating current (AC) submarine cable interconnecting the WTGs 
(inter-array cable), a 34.5 kV AC submarine transmission cable (export 
cable), and a 34.5 kV underground cable (onshore interconnection cable) 
that would connect the proposed project with existing infrastructure 
located in the City of Virginia Beach. The U.S. Department of Energy 
(DOE) is proposing to provide funding in support of VOWTAP and is 
participating as a cooperating agency in the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) process.
    On March 14, 2014, BOEM published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to 
prepare an EA in the Federal Register (79 FR 14534). Comments received 
in response to the NOI can be viewed at: http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for Docket ID BOEM-2014-0009. A public scoping meeting was 
held April 3, 2014 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. BOEM used the input 
from the scoping process to solicit information regarding important 
environmental issues and alternatives that should be considered in the 
EA. Additionally, BOEM used the scoping process to identify and 
eliminate from detailed study issues which are not significant or 
issues that have been analyzed in prior environmental reviews.
    BOEM is seeking public input on the EA, including comments on the 
completeness and adequacy of the environmental analysis. BOEM will 
consider public comments on the EA in determining whether to issue a 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), or conduct additional 
analysis under the NEPA.
    The EA and information on the public information meeting can be 
found online at http://www.boem.gov/Research-Nomination-Outside-and-to-the-West-of-the-WEADOE/.
    COMMENTS: Federal, State, and local government agencies, tribal 
governments, and other interested parties are requested to submit their 
written comments on the EA in one of the following ways:
    1. Electronically: http://www.regulations.gov. In the entry 
entitled ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter BOEM-2014-0077, then click 
``search.'' Follow the instructions to submit public comments and view 
supporting and related materials available for this document.
    2. In written form, delivered by hand or by mail, enclosed in an 
envelope labeled ``Approval of the Virginia Offshore Wind Technology 
Advancement Project on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) 
Offshore Virginia'' to: Program Manager, Office of Renewable Energy, 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 381 Elden Street, HM 1328, Herndon, 
Virginia 20170-4817.
    Comments must be received or postmarked no later than January 2, 
2015. All written comments received or postmarked during the comment 
period will be made available to the public.

    Authority: This Notice of Availability is published pursuant to 
43 CFR 46.305.

    Dated: November 24, 2014.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2014-28164 Filed 12-1-14; 8:45 am]
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