The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management recently issued a request for interest regarding a potential commercial Gulf of Maine outer continental shelf wind energy lease.
The request has been published in the Federal Register and is the initial step in the BOEM's commercial planning and leasing process. This process is to find acceptable locations and the intent is to evaluate interest in the commercial wind energy lease development located in the area, which consists of approximately 13,713,800 acres in the Gulf of Maine.
“President Biden has set ambitious goals to address the climate crisis, and in response, the Interior Department is taking historic steps to develop a robust and sustainable clean energy future," Secretary Deb Haaland said in an Aug. 18 Department of the Interior news release. "Today’s announcement for the Gulf of Maine represents one of the many milestones that this administration has achieved to advance offshore wind development, create good-paying jobs and lower consumer energy costs, while collaborating with our government partners, Tribes and key stakeholders to protect biodiversity, advance environmental justice and safeguard other ocean uses.”
The request for commercial interest is an additional step toward the state of Maine’s research lease application and offers notice of the proposed research area requested by Maine, according to the release. BOEM issued this request due to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and carrying through with regulations requiring BOEM to decide whether competitive interest is occurring that is prone to an unsolicited lease request.
“As we work to spur offshore wind development and deploy floating offshore wind technology nationwide, BOEM recognizes the rich cultural heritage and ecological importance of the Gulf of Maine region, which is why we are using the best available science and traditional knowledge from ocean users and other stakeholders in our planning and leasing process,” BOEM Director Amanda Lefton said in the release. “We are committed to a transparent, inclusive and data-driven process that avoids or minimizes potential conflicts with marine life and ensures all ocean users flourish."
