The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) will hold five public hearings Sept. 14-17 and Sept. 23 in coastal communities to take public comment on the Draft Ocean Management Plan that was unveiled by Gov. Deval Patrick, D-Mass., in July.
Following a public comment period that runs through Nov. 23, EEA will put the finishing touches on its blueprint designed to guide planning for wind farms in state waters, generally within three miles of the coast.
The draft plan, developed in accordance with the Oceans Act of 2008, provides additional protections for critical environmental resources in nearly two-thirds of the planning area, while identifying two areas adjacent to federal waters as suitable for commercial-scale wind energy development. The Oceans Act set a deadline of Dec. 31 for promulgation of a final plan.
SOURCE: The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
