Leading industry associations and have urged the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to act quickly to finalise revised regulatory structures for the fast-growing US offshore wind industry
The American Clean Power Association (ACP) joined the National Offshore Industries Association (NOIA) and the Business Network for Offshore Wind (BNOW) to submit extensive comments to BOEM regarding its proposed Renewable Energy Modernization Rule.
Among other things, the rule change includes proposals for incremental funding of decommissioning accounts; more flexible geophysical and geotechnical survey submission requirements; streamlined approval of meteorological buoys; revised project verification procedures; reform of BOEM’s renewable energy auction process; and greater clarity regarding safety requirements.
Through the changes and others like them, BOEM hopes to “reduce administrative burdens for both developers and the Department’s staff, reduce developer costs and uncertainty, and introduce greater regulatory flexibility in a rapidly changing industry to foster the supply of OCS renewable energy to meet increasing demand, while maintaining environmental safeguards.”
The associations said that, in addition to the above-mentioned, they are proposing further refinements of BOEM’s proposals, to better achieve the goals set for Rule. If adopted, the Associations said, they are confident that offshore wind will thrive in the US, through the orderly and expeditious development of the Outer Continental Shelf, with appropriate environmental safeguards.
ACP vice president offshore wind Josh Kaplowitz said, “We urge swift finalisation of the modernisation rule so that we can fully realise the potential of our abundant offshore wind resources.
“The offshore wind industry needs a regulatory structure that reflects how the industry works. This rule is an important step forward as we work together to harness more domestic clean energy that will reduce pollution, make our country more energy independent, and support local economies.”
The proposed rule would modernise regulations governing offshore wind development to reduce administrative burdens for both developers and regulatory agencies, provide developers with greater certainty and reduced costs, and introduce more regulatory flexibility while maintaining a commitment to environmental stewardship.
The comments submitted on 2 May 2023 amplify key elements of the proposed rule for emphasis and make recommendations for strengthening additional aspects of the rule.
ACP said it supports BOEM’s overall goals and agrees with the urgent need to reduce administrative burdens, costs and uncertainty and to allow more flexibility in offshore wind development.
Current regulations, largely unchanged since 2009, have long needed to be updated to incorporate lessons learned over the last 14 years and to support the goal of delivering affordable, reliable clean energy to all Americans in an environmentally safe way.
“We urge BOEM to bring the Rule to finality as soon as possible. The road to the proposal was long. A great deal of experience is already reflected in the proposal,” said the associations. “After a dozen years of near-constant evolution, scientific advances and technological improvement, the opportunities and benefits of offshore wind are here now, and we need a modernised regulatory structure to reap the benefits of responsible development.”
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