OCS Alternative Energy and Alternate Use Programmatic EIS Information Center

This Web site is the online center for public information and involvement in the OCS Alternative Energy and Alternate Use Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS).

The United States Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service (MMS), has prepared a final programmatic EIS in support of the establishment of a program for authorizing alternative energy and alternate use (AEAU) activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), as authorized by Section 388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), and codified in subsection 8(p) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). The final programmatic EIS examines the potential environmental effects of the program on the OCS and identifies policies and best management practices that may be adopted for the program. Under the program, MMS has jurisdiction over AEAU projects on the OCS including, but not limited to: offshore wind energy, wave energy, ocean current energy, offshore solar energy, and hydrogen generation. MMS will also have jurisdiction over other projects that make alternate use of existing oil and natural gas platforms in Federal waters on the OCS.

The programmatic EIS evaluates the issues associated with AEAU project development, including all foreseeable potential monitoring, testing, commercial development, operations, and decommissioning activities in Federal waters on the OCS.

Public Participation

Public participation in the OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS is important. This Web site provides information and services to help you participate in the Programmatic EIS process.

Other Resources

Other resources include a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs), news updates, and e-mail notices of important events.

Background Information

Section 388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), granted the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior (Secretary) discretionary authority to issue leases, easements, or rights-of-way for activities on the OCS that produce or support production, transportation, or transmission of energy from sources other than oil and gas, and are not otherwise authorized by other applicable law. The Secretary delegated this authority to the MMS. Examples of the general types of alternative energy project activities that MMS has the discretion to authorize may include, but are not limited to: wind energy, wave energy, ocean current energy, solar energy, and hydrogen production.

The MMS has also been delegated discretionary authority to issue leases, easements, or rights-of-way for other OCS project activities that make alternate use of existing OCS facilities for "energy-related purposes or for other authorized marine-related purposes," to the extent such activities are not otherwise authorized by other applicable law. Such activities may include, but are not limited to: offshore aquaculture, research, education, recreation, and support for offshore operations and facilities.

This programmatic EIS analyzes the environmental impacts from potential activities that may arise from the establishment of an alternative energy and alternate use program on the OCS in the reasonably foreseeable future, defined in the EIS as 5-7 years. The MMS chose to prepare this programmatic EIS to assist its efforts to develop a comprehensive program and to complete the proposed rule. The programmatic EIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts that could result from the development of alternative energy and alternate use projects on the OCS and identifies potential mitigation measures.

For additional supplemental information, please see the Notice of Availability for the Final Programmatic EIS. (56 KB)