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Atlantic Renewable Energy Program Leasing ProcessAtlantic Renewable Energy Program Leasing Process
Maine Fishermen’s Forum – Wind Seminar
March 5, 2020
Maine Fishermen’s Forum – Wind Seminar
March 5, 2020
BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Energy
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OCS Lands Act: "… vital national resource … expeditious and orderly development … environmental safeguards"
Energy Policy Act of 2005: "… energy from sources other than oil and gas …"
Alaska OCS Atlantic OCSGulf of Mexico OCSPacific OCS
Renewable Energy Program by the Numbers
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Competitive Lease Sales Completed: 8
Active Offshore Leases Issued: 15
Site Assessment Plans (SAPs) Approved: 8
General Activities Plans Approved: 1
Construction and Operations Plans (COPs):
• Under Review 6
• Anticipated in Coming Year 4 -6
Guidance: 10
Leasing Under Consideration: 5
Steel in the Water: 2020
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History of Federal Offshore Renewable Leasing in the Gulf of Maine
• Hywind Maine
o Pilot project proposed by Statoil NA
(now Equinor)
o Unsolicited lease request received in
October 2012
o Pilot project would have consisted
of 4 floating wind turbines
o Statoil withdrew the application in
November 2013
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Gulf of Maine Regional Task Force - 2020
• New Hampshire Governor Sununu
requested Task Force January 2019
• December 12, 2019 in New Hampshire
• Summary of meeting themes
(not consensus):
o Importance of moving quickly
o Concerns about impact on fishing
o Coordinate participation amongst
stakeholders
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www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-
activities/gulf-maine-intergovernmental-
renewable-energy-task-force-meeting
OCS Renewable Energy Authorization Process
Intergovernmental Task
Force
Call for Information &
Nominations (Call)
Area Identification
Environmental Reviews
Proposed Sale Notice (PSN)
Final Sale Notice (FSN)
Auction
Issue Lease(s)
Site Characterization
(i.e. Geophysical &
Geological Surveys,
Biological Surveys, etc.)
Site Assessment Plan (SAP)
(i.e. Meteorological buoy
or tower)
Construction & Operations
Plan (COP)
Facility Design Report (FDR)
Fabrication and Installation
Report (FIR)
Decommissioning
Planning
& AnalysisLeasing Site Assessment
Construction
& Operations
2 Years 1-2 Years 5 Years 2 Years (+25)
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Renewable Energy Process: From RFI/Call to Operation
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Request for Interest to Lease Sale
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Planning Area
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• High-level screening
• Initial identification of
areas that may be suitable
for potential offshore
wind development
Planning Area
Optional Required
Request for Interest (RFI) Area
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• Collect information to
determine the level of interest
in offshore wind leasing
• Shed more light on suitability
of area for wind development
Planning Area
RFI Area
Optional Required
Call for Information and Nominations - Area
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• Request comments on:
• Areas for special consideration and analysis
• Conditions in the Call Area
• Areas to be considered for leasing
Planning Area
RFI Area
Call Area
Optional Required
Wind Energy Area
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• A portion of the Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS)
identified by BOEM
for NEPA analysis
(Environmental Assessment)
• The basis for a Lease Area
Wind Energy Area
Planning Area
RFI Area
Call Area
Wind Energy Area
Optional Required
Lease Areas
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• Wind Energy Areas have
the potential for further
division into Lease Areas
Planning Area
RFI Area
Call Area
Wind Energy Area
Optional Required
Lease Area
Lease Area
Lease
Area
How is Input Collected?
Comment Periods & Meetings
Comment Periods
& Meetings
Consultations
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NMFS Roles in the Offshore Wind Permitting Process
• NMFS is involved in the offshore wind permitting process in the following ways:
o Participating in state and regional offshore wind energy task forces
o Providing environmental information to BOEM through BOEM-funded studies and/or
independent research
o Cooperating Agency under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and One
Federal Decision
o Statutory federal consultations under the Endangered Species Act and Magnuson-
Stevens Act (Essential Fish Habitat)
o Compliance under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (consultation between lessee
and NMFS)
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Environmental Studies Program
• BOEM just concluded solicitation for
2021 study ideas
• Study ideas are reviewed by the
Standing Committee on Offshore Science
and Assessment (COSA) convened under
the National Academy of Sciences
• Results of studies are incorporated into
BOEM environmental assessment and
decision-making process
BOEM.govBOEM.gov
Brian Hooker | [email protected] | 703-787-1634
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
U.S. Department of the Interior
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