The MMS has seen very strong interest in offshore renewable
energy projects on the outer continental shelf (OCS). The MMS is working
closely with several states regarding offshore energy development and is
in the process of coordinating federal-state task forces in certain
coastal states. A summary of the status of activity in the different
states can be found below:
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As part
of the West Coast Governors’ Agreement (WCGA) on Ocean Health, a
regional partnership, Washington, Oregon and California have
agreed to collaborate with the Minerals Management Service,
Department of Energy, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, and other
agencies, to evaluate the potential benefits and impacts of
renewable ocean energy projects off the West Coast. An
additional goal is to develop the long-term regulatory structure
for removal or expansion of activities.
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The
Renewable Ocean Energy Action Coordination Team, a collaborative
working group established by the WCGA, is developing a shared
strategy (among the States) to ensure that when renewable energy
development activities are proposed along the west coast,
comprehensive planning will occur to increase renewable energy
generation and minimize negative impacts to marine ecosystems
and coastal communities.
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The MMS
has received indications of interest in renewable energy
projects on the OCS off of Washington, Oregon, and California
(both deepwater wind as well as wave projects); however, no
lease requests have been received. MMS will work with FERC on
hydrokinetic project management. |
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The MMS offered one
interim policy limited lease to Bluewater Wind Delaware LLC in June 2009 for the installation of a meteorological tower.
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The Delaware Request for Interest was published in the Federal Register on April 26, 2010 under Docket ID: MMS–2010–OMM–0017 |
Map Showing the
Request for Interest
(532 KB PDF)
Request for Interest
(RFI) for Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the OCS Offshore
Delaware
(66 KB PDF)
- The MMS
is working with three potential hydrokinetic (ocean current)
energy generation developers. The projects in question are
under MMS’s “Interim Policy”. These are not commercial and
are limited in scope. No leases have been assigned at this
time. Potential leases under Interim Policy are only for
data collection and technology testing.
- The
MMS is working to coordinate through a task force with the
federal, state, local and tribal governments. The goal of
the task force is to facilitate intergovernmental
communications regarding OCS renewable energy activities.
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Southern Company has issued a Request for Proposals for
environmental consultants to work on an interim policy
project off of Savannah. No leases have been assigned at
this time. |
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The
State is developing a proposal for an inter-island power
cable to transmit electricity from renewable energy projects
(wind) between the islands of Lanai and Molokai to load
centers on Oahu and possibly Maui.
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An MMS-issued
ROW (Right of Way) grant is required for the length of the offshore
cable that would pass beyond the state waters surrounding the
individual islands and into federal waters.
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The MMS is
participating on Hawaii’s Environmental Working Group with the goal
of producing a Joint federal-state Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the project.
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The Joint EIS will be funded by Hawaii, as the applicant. |
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There are several initiatives for developing offshore renewable energy especially in state waters.
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State-level initiatives include meteorological evaluations and testing of deepwater, offshore wind technologies.
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Recently,
the state passed legislation streamlining the permitting process for
companies wanting to test new offshore wind technologies all along
Maine’s coastline.
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In December
2009, Maine announced the selection of the following three offshore
wind power test sites: Boon Island, Damariscove Island and Monhegan
Island.
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These sites
were selected by a consortium of government and private agencies and
are in state waters. The sites will be used to test new technology
that generates electricity from waves.
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The MMS is working to coordinate through a task force with the federal, state, local and tribal governments. The goal of the task force is to facilitate intergovernmental communications regarding OCS renewable energy activities. The first task force meeting is scheduled to be held on September 14, 2010 at the Hutchinson Center, 80 Belmont Avenue, Belfast, Maine 04915. |
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Massachusetts released its comprehensive ocean management
plan in January 2010 following a scientific and stakeholder
process.
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The final
Ocean Management Plan provides new protections for critical
environmental resources and sets standards for the development of
community-scale and commercial-scale offshore wind energy. The Plan
identifies sites in state and federal waters for commercial-scale
wind development.
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The MMS and
the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs are
coordinating closely to develop a path forward for commercial
offshore leasing.
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The MMS is
working to coordinate through a task force with the federal, state,
local and tribal governments. The goal of the task force is to
facilitate intergovernmental communications regarding OCS renewable
energy activities.
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The first
meeting was held to introduce the purpose of the task force and the
intergovernmental members, explain the MMS renewable energy leasing
and environmental review process, as well as introduce the Request
for Interest. Files from the first Massachusetts Task Force meeting
on November 19, 2009, are below: |
Task Force Introduction
(751.33 KB PDF)
Introduction to the MMS Leasing Process
(623.50 KB PDF)
Introduction to the MMS Environmental Review Process
(666.57 KB PDF)
Introduction
to the Request for Interest
(30.87 KB PDF)
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A second meeting was held to present and discuss the draft Request for Interest. The BOEM is considering all task force member comments collected on the draft Request for Interest. Files from the second Massachusetts Task Force meeting on January 27, 2010 are below:
Presentation on draft Request for Interest
(206 KB PDF)
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The third BOEM Massachusetts Renewable Energy Task Force meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. ET on September 8, 2010 at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, MA located at 101 Academy Drive.
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Cape Wind Project |
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The MMS issued
three
interim policy
leases; one to Deepwater Wind LLC, one to Bluewater Wind New
Jersey Energy LLC and Fishermen’s Energy of New Jersey LLC in
November 2009. MMS is awaiting the submission of project plans
from the applicants.
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The MMS is
working to coordinate through a task force with the federal,
state, local and tribal governments. The goal of the task force
is to facilitate intergovernmental communications regarding OCS
renewable energy activities. Files from the first New Jersey
Task Force meeting on November 24, 2009 are below: |
Task
Force Introduction
Introduction to the MMS Leasing Process
Introduction to the MMS Environmental Review Process
Introduction
to the Request for Interest
List of
Attendees at the Meeting
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Governor
Chris Christie was sworn in as the new governor of New Jersey in
January 2010. MMS is coordinating with the new administration on
the best path forward and subsequent task force meetings.
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The MMS received
an unsolicited application for a commercial lease in January
2010. |
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A
collaborative of private and public (state and city) entities is
led by the Long Island Power Administration (LIPA) and
Consolidated Edison Company (ConEd). The collaborative is
considering wind power development on the OCS at a site 13 miles
off the Rockaway Peninsula.
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On June 30,
2009, the collaborative issued a Request for Information from
developers, equipment manufacturers, and other interested
parties. The comment period closed on August 31.
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The MMS is
working with the New York Department of State (DOS) and other
interested parties to convene an inter-governmental task force
to consider the collaborative’s proposed project and other
potential renewable energy activities on the OCS off New York. |
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The Rhode
Island Coastal Resources Management has initiated an Ocean
Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) which will be finalized by
September 2010.
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The State has selected Deepwater Wind Rhode Island LLC to build in areas designated by the SAMP.
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The MMS is working to coordinate through a task force with the federal, state, local and tribal governments. The goal of the task force is to facilitate intergovernmental communications regarding OCS renewable energy activities.
Files from the
first Rhode Island Task Force meeting on November 17, 2009 are
below: |
Task Force Introduction
Introduction to the MMS Leasing Process
Introduction to the MMS Environmental Review Process
Introduction
to the Request for Interest
List of Attendees at
the Meeting
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The MMS’s
Gulf of Mexico OCS region is participating on the South Carolina
Regulatory Task Force for Coastal Clean Energy. The task force
is looking primarily at state waters. Some of the major
recommendations of the task force include the need for a
statewide policy supporting renewable energy activities, the
need for one stop shopping for offshore wind projects and the
need to develop a leasing framework for renewable energy. The
state was also encouraged to adopt a renewable portfolio
standard.
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The MMS is
working to coordinate through a task force with the federal,
state, local and tribal governments. The goal of the task force
is to facilitate intergovernmental communications regarding OCS
renewable energy activities. |
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The MMS has
received two unsolicited applications for projects offshore
Virginia.
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The MMS is
working to coordinate through the task force with the federal,
state, local and tribal governments. The goal of the task force
is to facilitate intergovernmental communications regarding OCS
renewable energy activities. Files from the first Virginia Task
Force meeting on December 8, 2009 are below: |
Task Force Introduction
Introduction to the MMS Leasing Process
Introduction to the MMS Environmental Review Process
Introduction
to the Request for Interest
Offshore Wind Development Potential and Possible Timetables
delivered by George
Hagerman on behalf of the state of Virginia
List of Attendees at the
Meeting
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