The Biden administration reportedly granted a request from Vineyard Wind, an offshore wind project off Massachusetts’ coast, to waive development fees aimed at protecting taxpayers, according to internal documents leaked recently. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) informed Vineyard Wind of the waiver, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. The decision coincided with the departure of former Deputy Interior Secretary Tommy Beadreau, who had previously represented Vineyard Wind while at a law firm. The waiver allowed the project to avoid a financial assurance fee for decommissioning costs, a requirement for developers to ensure federal property restoration post-lease expiration.
Critics argue that this move contradicts the administration’s push for higher bonding requirements on traditional oil and gas leases. The documents suggest that Vineyard Wind’s request had been initially rejected by the Trump administration in 2017. However, BOEM approved the waiver in June 2021, citing risk reduction factors and the project’s contribution to clean energy. The 800-megawatt project was fast-tracked under President Biden, receiving formal approval in May 2021. Despite promoting green energy, the administration faced scrutiny for allegedly compromising ethical standards in its dealings with the wind energy industry while imposing stricter regulations on fossil fuels.
