Epsilon led the federal, state, regional, and local permitting for the first utility-scale offshore wind project in the United States, Vineyard Wind 1. Currently serving as Lead or Co-lead environmental consultant on seven commercial-scale wind facilities with an estimated capacity of over 12,000 MW, Epsilon Associates is the leading environmental analysis, licensing, and permitting consultancy supporting North America’s offshore wind development market.
The Pioneer and National Leader in North American Offshore Wind Permitting
What We Do
- Construction and Operations Plan (COP) Preparation
- Federal, State, Regional, and Local Environmental Permitting
- Air Quality Analysis and Permitting
- Onshore Noise Surveys and Modeling
- Onshore Transmission Siting, Route Selection, and Permitting
- Ecological Studies
- Environmental Inspections
- Regulatory Compliance Management
- Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Assessments
- Geographic Information Systems Analyses
Federal Permitting
Our work includes preparation support of the Construction and Operations Plan (COP) for submittal to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for review and approval. This comprehensive filing includes assessments of impacts to air and water quality, geology, fisheries and benthic habitat, birds and other wildlife, marine mammals and sea turtles, coastal habitats, local economies and populations, visual resources, marine and air navigation, and historic and archaeological resources. The COP describes a project’s construction, operations, and decommissioning stages.
To date, Epsilon has filed five COPs, with three Record of Decision (RODs) issued to approve project. Our work is supported by an outstanding cadre of specialized sub-consultants.
Expertise:
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Review
U.S. EPA Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Air Permitting
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 10/404 Permitting
NOAA Fisheries Incidental Harassment Authorization
Federal Consistency Determination pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA
Regional, State, & Local Environmental Review & Permitting
Epsilon earned its reputation for successful regulatory approvals based on its extraordinary early success in ushering developers through the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) review processes.
Our state, regional, and local permitting experience on marine and coastal projects spans more than 20 years, including offshore wind, liquefied natural gas terminals, submarine cables and pipelines, offshore sand mining, offshore and onshore transmission, regional electricity grid interconnections, and related major infrastructure projects. Epsilon’s offshore wind work in this sphere includes detailed routing analyses and alternatives assessments as well as technical support for community outreach efforts.
Expertise:
Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Environmental Review
Energy Facilities Siting Board and Department of Public Utilities Reviews
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Chapter 91 Licensing and Section 401 Water Quality Certification
Cape Cod Commission Development of Regional Impact Review
Martha’s Vineyard Commission Development of Regional Impact Review
Local Conservation Commission Approvals
New York State Article VII Environmental Review
Epsilon National Renewable Project Experience
Staff Locations
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Maryland
- New Hampshire
- South Carolina
Questions?
