The BOEM has taken the initial steps should virginia legislature decide to pursue the development of its offshore wind potential.
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on March 24 announced its approval of the first wind energy Research Activities Plan for a facility to be located in U.S. federal waters off the coast of Virginia.
Last year, BOEM awarded a research lease to the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, and the new action clears the way for the installation and operation of two 6-megawatt turbines and associated cabling to shore, pending final engineering review of the project. The electricity generated by these turbines could power 3,000 homes. See the BOEM Virginia news release.
And on March 21, BOEM announced its first step toward potential leasing for commercial wind energy development in federal waters offshore California. BOEM has completed an initial review of an unsolicited lease request from Trident Winds for a floating wind energy project offshore Morro Bay, California, deemed the request complete, and will soon issue a Federal Register Notice to determine if there is competitive interest in the area. If BOEM determines there is competitive interest, it will initiate the competitive leasing process.
As part of its review, BOEM confirmed that Trident Winds is legally, technically, and financially qualified to hold an offshore wind energy lease in federal waters. BOEM’s receipt of an unsolicited lease request is the first step in a leasing process that will include environmental analysis and extensive stakeholder engagement. See the BOEM California news release.
Filed Under: News, Offshore wind, Policy
