Deepwater Hearing Next Week

Surprisingly, the matter of installing offshore wind turbines that would generate electricity for East Hampton Town has become a hot button. Both those for and against the proposed South Fork Wind Farm are set to marshal their forces for a hearing set for Tuesday, June 11, led by the New York State Public Service Commission.

Ørsted, the Danish energy company that acquired Deepwater Wind, has an application pending with the state to install a cable that will connect its wind turbines with the mainland. The hearings, scheduled to take place at the East Hampton Town Firehouse at 1 Cedar Street in East Hampton Village, will have an afternoon session that starts at 2 and an evening session beginning at 6. Each will begin with a presentation by PSC officials and then be opened for a one-hour public discussion period.

The preferred entry point for the cable, in Wainscott on Beach Lane, has drawn steadfast opposition from not only Wainscott residents but also fishing groups and environmentalists. Deepwater has listed state-owned land in Napeague as a backup plan should the town fail to issue an easement for the Wainscott site.

Ørsted/Deepwater must also get federal approval for the project.