Offshore staff
WASHINGTON — The US Department of the Interior announced two proposals for offshore wind energy auctions off the coast of Oregon and in the Gulf of Maine.
The two sales proposed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) have the potential to generate more than 18 GW of offshore wind energy, which BOEM says is enough to power more than six million homes.
Maine areas
The first offshore wind energy auction in the Gulf of Maine wind energy area would include eight lease areas offshore Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
BOEM is seeking feedback on various aspects of the proposed lease areas, including size, orientation and location of the eight lease areas and which areas, if any, should be prioritized for inclusion or exclusion from this lease sale.
BOEM is proposing to conduct simultaneous auctions for each of the eight lease areas using multiple-factor bidding. BOEM is seeking comment on providing bidding credits to bidders that commit to supporting workforce training programs or supply chain development, or a combination of both, as well as a credit for a fisheries compensatory mitigation fund.
BOEM is also seeking comment on potential lease stipulations regarding vessel transit and baseline environmental monitoring. Like recent leases in other regions, BOEM is proposing lease stipulations to ensure that any future leaseholders consider and engage potentially affected stakeholders and communities early and often throughout the offshore wind energy development process.
Oregon areas
The proposed lease sale in Oregon includes two lease areas totaling 194,995 acres: one in the Coos Bay wind energy area and the other in the Brookings wind energy area.
Along with the proposed lease sale, BOEM has released its draft environmental review of potential impacts associated with offshore wind energy leasing activities for public review and comment.
BOEM is seeking feedback on several proposed lease stipulations that would reaffirm its commitment to create good-paying union jobs and continue robust engagement with Tribal governments, the fishing industry, affected communities, and other ocean users.
Potential stipulations for the proposed Oregon sale include providing bidding credits to bidders that commit to supporting workforce training programs for the floating offshore wind energy industry, developing a domestic supply chain for the floating offshore wind industry, or a combination of both. The proposal also includes providing bidding credits to bidders who commit to executing community benefit agreements with Tribes, local communities, ocean users, or stakeholder groups expected to be affected by potential impacts from activities resulting from lease development.
At last week's International Partnering Forum (IPF) conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced a new five-year offshore wind leasing schedule, which includes up to 12 potential offshore wind energy lease sales through 2028.
05.02.2024
