The US Department of the Interior has announced two proposals for offshore wind auctions off the coast of Oregon and in the Gulf of Maine
The two sales proposed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) have the potential to generate more than 18 GW of offshore wind energy.
BOEM director Liz Klein said, “As we move forward with offshore wind energy in Oregon and the Gulf of Maine, BOEM remains dedicated to close collaboration with our government partners and key stakeholders. We are excited to unveil these proposed sales and emphasise our commitment to exploring the potential for offshore wind development from coast to coast.”
The first-ever offshore wind energy auction in the Gulf of Maine wind energy area would include eight lease areas offshore Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, totalling nearly 1M acres, which have the potential to generate approximately 15 GW of clean power.
BOEM is seeking feedback on various aspects of the proposed lease areas, including size, orientation and location of the eight lease areas and which areas, if any, should be prioritised for inclusion or exclusion from this lease sale. It is proposing to conduct simultaneous auctions for each of the eight lease areas using multiple-factor bidding and seeking comment on providing bidding credits to bidders that commit to supporting workforce training programmes or supply chain development, or a combination of both, as well as a credit for a fisheries compensatory mitigation fund. BOEM is also seeking comment on potential lease stipulations regarding vessel transit and baseline environmental monitoring.
The proposed lease sale in Oregon includes two lease areas totalling 194,995 acres — one in the Coos Bay Wind Energy Area and the other in the Brookings Wind Energy Area — which have the potential to power more than 1M homes with clean renewable energy. Along with the proposed lease sale, BOEM has released its draft environmental review of potential impacts associated with offshore wind energy leasing activities for public review and comment.
BOEM is seeking feedback on several proposed lease stipulations that would reaffirm its commitment to create jobs and continue robust engagement with Tribal governments, the fishing industry, affected communities and other ocean users. Potential stipulations for the proposed Oregon sale include providing bidding credits to bidders that commit to supporting workforce training programmes for the floating offshore wind energy industry, developing a domestic supply chain for the floating offshore wind industry, or a combination of both. The proposal also includes providing bidding credits to bidders who commit to executing community benefit agreements with Tribes, local communities, ocean users, or stakeholder groups expected to be affected by potential impacts from activities resulting from lease development.
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