South Carolina Activities
South Carolina Call Areas
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Overview
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act requires BOEM to award renewable energy leases competitively, unless BOEM determines there is no competitive interest. So, on Nov. 23, 2015, BOEM published a Call for Information and Nominations (Call) in the Federal Register (under Docket ID: BOEM-2015-0134) for a 60-day public comment period to gauge the offshore wind industry's interest in acquiring commercial wind leases in four areas offshore South Carolina and to request comments regarding site conditions, resources and other uses within the Call areas. The comment period ended on Jan. 25, 2016. Materials related to the Call are below.
Environmental Review
In addition to the Call, BOEM published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) in the Federal Register on Nov. 23, 2015 (under Docket ID: BOEM-2015-0125). Through the NOI, BOEM sought public comment for determining issues and alternatives to be analyzed in the EA. Public comments in response to the NOI can be viewed here. The EA will consider potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with issuing commercial wind leases and approving site assessment activities on the lease areas. The NOI included a 60-day public comment period, which closed on Jan. 25, 2016.
Mapping
To meet the needs of the offshore renewable energy and marine planning communities, BOEM has worked with the Task Force to develop a map through MarineCadastre.gov, a joint online mapping project of BOEM and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that includes many of the data layers used in the planning process.
Environmental Studies
BOEM has funded or considered numerous studies to collect information about the marine environment to support decisions concerning offshore renewable energy development. For more information, please visit http://www.boem.gov/South-Carolina-Environmental-Studies/.
Public Engagement
BOEM has initiated planning efforts, primarily through the South Carolina Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force, which is made up of representatives from federal, state, local, and tribal governments, to determine whether there is potential for wind energy development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore South Carolina.
To obtain information discussed during the Task Force meetings and public scoping meetings, click on the links below.
Related Press Releases