OAK BLUFFS – The Vineyard Wind Project, which expects to construct a wind farm south of Martha’s Vineyard, has received Martha’s Vineyard Commission approval to install the cables necessary to transfer power to the mainland.
The Vineyard Gazette reports the approval came at a meeting last week with two conditions: The company must return to the Commission if it decides to decommission the farm and the Commission says it reserves the right to make modifications to the agreement if there are any unforeseen environmental impacts.
The project was evaluated as a development of regional impact. The power cable is expected to be buried about 5-8 feet deep a little over a mile off Edgartown. Approval for the cables off Barnstable was also granted by the Commission last week.
As part of the approval process the company also agreed to make modifications in order to protect endangered Right Whales.
Multiple state and federal regulatory agencies must still approve the Vineyard Wind project.