The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on Monday introduced three remaining Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) offshore Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.
These areas, BOEM mentioned, have been developed following in depth engagement and suggestions from states, Tribes, native residents, ocean customers, federal authorities companions, and different members of the general public.
If absolutely developed, the ultimate WEAs might help between 4 and eight gigawatts of vitality manufacturing. The Biden administration has a aim of deploying 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind vitality capability by 2030.
The three WEAs whole roughly 356,550 acres. The first WEA (A-2) is 101,767 acres and situated 26 nautical miles (nm) from Delaware Bay. The second WEA (B-1) is 78,285 acres and about 23.5 nm offshore Ocean City, Md. The third WEA (C-1) is 176,506 acres and situated about 35 nm from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, offshore Virginia.
“BOEM values a robust and transparent offshore wind planning process, which requires early and frequent engagement with Tribal governments, the Department of Defense, NASA, other government agencies, and ocean users,” mentioned BOEM Director Liz Klein. “We will continue to work closely with them, and all interested stakeholders, as we move forward with our environmental review.”
BOEM will publish its Notice of Intent to Prepare an environmental evaluation of potential impacts from offshore wind leasing within the WEAs within the Federal Register on August 1, 2023, which can provoke a 30-day public remark interval. Another public remark interval would happen if BOEM determined to maneuver ahead with a lease sale in any of the WEAs.
After BOEM made the announcement on the three new offshore Wind Energy Areas (WEAs), National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito mentioned: “With offshore wind opportunities on the rise, the states along the Central Atlantic coast are positioned to become key players in the next wave of offshore wind hubs.
“The advantages of this improvement prolong past the native stage, with vital benefits rippling throughout our nation. Offshore wind is a nationwide endeavor, and as extra offshore wind leases are secured and new American offshore wind initiatives diversify geographically, the nationwide provide chain stands to reap even larger rewards.
“We encourage BOEM to continue their progress in expanding offshore wind opportunities, including in areas along the mid-Atlantic. NOIA successfully advocated for language in the Inflation Reduction Act to overturn the 10-year moratorium on offshore wind leasing in the area stretching from North Carolina down through the Eastern Gulf of Mexico.
“Additionally, final 12 months’s outstanding $315 million Carolina Long Bay offshore wind lease sale highlights the area’s attraction for offshore wind investments. The momentum for offshore wind is undoubtedly rising in a rising variety of coastal states. Policymakers ought to seize this chance by way of continued offshore wind leasing, together with future lease gross sales alongside the mid- and Central Atlantic.”
