BOEMRE and Oregon Form Offshore Renewable Energy Task Force
Portland,
Ore. – The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management,
Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) is holding its first
offshore renewable energy task force meeting with the
state of Oregon today. This inter-governmental task
force was established to facilitate communication
between BOEMRE and state, local, tribal and federal
stakeholders concerning commercial renewable energy
leasing and development on the Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS) off the coast of Oregon.
The task force includes
state government officials designated by the governor
and officials from affected federal agencies, elected
local government officials, and tribal leaders.
“BOEMRE created this
task force to coordinate and consult with the State of
Oregon and others on potential renewable energy
activities on the OCS off Oregon,” said BOEMRE Director
Michael R. Bromwich. “We will work together with
federal, state, local and tribal stakeholders to
consider issues and approaches relating to future
offshore renewable energy leasing and development to
support Oregon’s energy goals and expand our nation’s
energy resource portfolio.”
“The state of Oregon
welcomes the opportunity provided by the Task Force to
work with BOEMRE, federal agencies and tribes, in
setting the path for responsible and well-informed
planning and management for renewable energy development
of the outer continental shelf. Oregon has designated
the OCS as its’ Ocean Stewardship Area under Goal 19 and
the Territorial Sea Plan, which outlines our interest in
the conservation and use of marine resources for their
long-term ecological, economic and social value.” said
Robert Bailey, manager of Oregon’s Coastal Management
Program.
The task force meeting
includes an overview of existing regulatory processes
and discussions on how best to complement Oregon’s
ongoing ocean planning process when considering
renewable energy development on the OCS.
In April 2009,
President Barack Obama and Secretary Salazar announced
the final framework for renewable energy development on
the OCS. This framework establishes the process BOEMRE
uses for granting leases, easements and rights-of-way
for offshore renewable energy development activities,
such as the siting and construction of renewable energy
facilities on the OCS. The framework also allows for
BOEMRE to use task forces in carrying out its
responsibilities for authorizing OCS renewable energy
activities in partnership with state, local and federal
agencies and tribal governments.
Elsewhere, task forces
have been formally established with Delaware, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode
Island, Virginia and North Carolina and are in the
process of being established for South Carolina and
Florida.
Contact:
BOEMRE Public Affairs-Pacific |