The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) has issued Deepwater Wind Water Quality Certificates to build the project in compliance with state water quality regulations and the Clean Water Act.
These regulations ensure the protection of fish and wildlife, as well as the recreational use and navigation of Rhode Island inland and coastal waters.
The RIDEM certificate comprises a number of stipulations, including provisions to protect important marine species, ensure compliance with environmental and safety standards, and to require appropriate installation methods for the buried submarine cable.
Additionally, the wind project has secured Freshwater Wetland from RIDEM for certain onshore construction activities.
Deepwater Wind CEO Jeffrey Grybowski said, "The approval of RIDEM is a major step forward for the Block Island Wind Farm."
"Momentum for the project is strong and we are moving closer to having ‘steel in the water." Grybowski added.
"We appreciate RIDEM’s thoughtful consideration of this project, and we’re confident that we’ll soon secure the remaining state and federal permits."
Deepwater Wind is also required to secure a permit from the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, as well as approvals from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The company has started the initial stages of construction on the 30MW Block Island Wind Farm, which is expected to become operational in 2016.
