The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will hold a public information session on the US Wind project off the coasts of Maryland and the southern edge of Delaware.
US Wind has submitted multiple permit applications with DNREC. The department will host a public information session on Wednesday, June 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Beacon Middle School, 19483 John J. Williams Highway, Lewes.
US Wind has applied to bring offshore electric cables inland at Delaware Seashore State Park’s 3R’s Beach parking lot near the DNREC building line and potential dune areas. The lines will connect to a proposed substation to be constructed on a tax parcel adjacent to the Indian River power plant in Sussex County.
Portions of the proposed wind power export cables would be located under state-regulated wetlands and subaqueous lands in the Atlantic Ocean within Delaware state waters and the Indian River Bay. The proposed cable covers 15.2 miles.
The public information session will allow Delawareans to review US Wind’s permit applications for the proposed connector cables and substation. US Wind requires the following authorizations from two of DNREC’s division as follows:
- Subaqueous Lands Permit – Division of Water
- Water Quality Certification – Division of Water
- Wetlands Permit – Division of Water
- Beach Preservation Coastal Construction Permit – Division of Watershed Stewardship
At the public information session, Delaware residents and visitors can review display boards, engage with staff, federal partners, and the applicant and ask questions. The display boards, an online survey and other materials will be available after the session.
Feedback from the public information session will inform the formal presentation for the Joint Virtual Public Hearing on July 9. This session is not a public hearing.
Written comments for the record will be accepted from now until Sept. 9, 2024, via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov; by using the online form at de.gov/dnreccomments; or by U.S. mail to Lisa A. Vest, Hearing Officer, Office of the Secretary, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
For additional details about the project and related documents, the public can visit DNREC’s website at de.gov/uswind.
