Danish developer Orsted and US utility PSEG have taken a key step forward in their plans to build up-to-1.4GW of wind plant off New Jersey, with the start of public consultation on the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Ocean Wind 1 project, the state’s flagship industrial-scale sector development.

Publication of the EIS’ so-called notice of availability by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the regulator in charge of energy development in US federal waters, kicks off a public comment period that is part of the process necessary to move the project toward a ROD (record of decision) next February, after which construction could begin.