BOEMRE Announces It Will Reduce Area Offshore Massachusetts Under Consideration for Commercial Wind Energy Leasing
WASHINGTON – The Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) today
announced that it is reducing the area under consideration for
future commercial wind energy leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS) offshore Massachusetts. This reduction is in response to
multiple comments received in response to a Request for Interest (RFI)
issued on December 29, 2010. The RFI invited the public to provide
information useful to BOEMRE in evaluating the suitability of the
identified area for potential future leasing. The RFI also asked
that wind energy developers describe their interest in acquiring
commercial leases for potential future projects. Today’s
announcement comes as BOEMRE holds a joint meeting with the Rhode
Island and Massachusetts Renewable Energy Task Forces today to
discuss activities around their Area of Mutual Interest.
“We have heard significant concerns
from the people of Massachusetts and we have acted on those
concerns,” said BOEMRE Director Michael R. Bromwich. “BOEMRE is
committed to continuing the public engagement process as we look to
identify the potential areas for offshore energy development in the
federal waters south of Massachusetts.”
In response to the RFI, BOEMRE
received nearly 250 comments, including several from the
Massachusetts commercial fishing community, the Governor’s office,
and the congressional delegation, which argued for the reduction of
the area under consideration. Comments also addressed other uses of
the sea and seabed (e.g. environmental, cultural and socioeconomic)
and expressions of interest for commercial wind.
BOEMRE has received 11 submissions
from ten companies describing commercial leasing interest within the
RFI area. BOEMRE is reviewing these submissions for completeness and
also to evaluate legal, technical and financial qualifications to
hold an OCS renewable energy lease.
BOEMRE has not yet identified an area
that may be offered for leasing or approved for subsequent
development. Next steps include continued meetings of the
Massachusetts Renewable Energy Task Force to inform members of the
submissions of interest, comments received, and to discuss next
steps, including the identification of a “Smart from the Start Wind
Energy Area” and the development of a Call for Information and
Nominations. After consulting with Task Force members and
stakeholders, BOEMRE may further modify the area under consideration
for potential commercial wind energy leasing.
The Massachusetts RFI area was
selected through consultation with the Task Force, an
intergovernmental coordination group led by BOEMRE. Task Force
members include federal and state agencies, tribal governments, and
local entities that have a role in permitting, reviewing or
regulating resources or activities that are involved in energy
development on the OCS.
For additional information, go to:
http://www.boemre.gov/offshore/RenewableEnergy/StateActivities.htm#Massachusetts.
Contact: BOEMRE
Public Affairs