Frequently Asked Questions

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has a multi-step process to identify areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) that appear most suitable for commercial wind energy activities, while presenting the fewest apparent environmental concerns and competing uses, including the operation of fisheries. For more information, please see BOEM's Citizen's Guide for the renewable energy authorization process here.

For safety reasons, some areas will be temporarily unavailable for fishing and vessel traffic during construction of the project. However, once construction is complete, the lease area will be open to vessel traffic and fishing activities. Dominion Energy will communicate the status of construction and availability of the area to the public through active stakeholder outreach and Local Notices to Mariners.

Dominion Energy utilizes various options to ensure proper navigation around the project during construction, including safety vessel(s) and cardinal buoys. Additionally, Local Notices to Mariners (LNTM) are released prior to construction, and Dominion Energy maintains ongoing coordination with the Port Authority, the U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Navy Fleet Forces. A project communications plan maintains this crucial interface to ensure awareness of ongoing construction activities at the project site.

Yes, all cables will be buried. Interarray cables will be buried nearly 5 feet deep (1.5 meters), while export cables will be buried approximately 8 feet deep (2.5 meters).

Results from recent field and laboratory studies have not shown measurable effects and responses to EMF at the low EMF intensities associated with Marine Renewable Energy. The potential for EMF impact on bottom-dwelling fishes and benthic invertebrates continues to be the subject of ongoing studies.