Potential Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore California-Request for Interest, 55228-55231 [2016-19349]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 160 / Thursday, August 18, 2016 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM–2016–0051;
MMAA104000]
Potential Commercial Leasing for Wind
Power on the Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS) Offshore California—Request
for Interest
Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Public notice of an unsolicited
request for a commercial OCS wind
lease, request for interest (RFI), and
request for public comment.
AGENCY:
The purpose of this public
notice is to: (1) Describe the unsolicited
proposal submitted to BOEM by Trident
Winds, LLC (Trident Winds) to acquire
an OCS commercial wind lease; (2)
solicit submissions of indications of
interest in acquiring a commercial lease
for wind energy development on the
OCS offshore California in the area
described in this notice; and (3) solicit
public input regarding the area
described in this notice, the potential
environmental consequences associated
with wind energy development in the
area, and existing and planned multiple
uses of the area.
On January 14, 2016, BOEM received
an unsolicited request from Trident
Winds for a commercial wind lease on
the OCS. Trident Winds’ proposed
project would consist of a utility-scale
floating wind energy facility offshore
Morro Bay, California that would
interconnect with the California
electrical grid at the existing Morro Bay
Power Plant. The project would be
located, at its closest point,
approximately 15 nautical miles (nmi)
offshore Point Piedras Blancas in water
depths of approximately 2,900 feet.
Additional information on Trident
Winds’ unsolicited lease request can be
viewed at https://www.boem.gov/
California/.
This RFI is published pursuant to
subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS Lands Act,
43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3), and BOEM’s
implementing regulations at 30 CFR part
585. Subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS
Lands Act requires that OCS renewable
energy leases, easements, and rights-ofway be issued ‘‘on a competitive basis
unless the Secretary [of the Interior]
determines after public notice of a
proposed lease, easement, or right-ofway that there is no competitive
interest.’’ This RFI provides public
notice for the area requested by Trident
Winds (the Proposed Lease Area) that is
described below in the section
‘‘Description of the Proposed Lease
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SUMMARY:
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Area,’’ and invites the submission of
indications of interest in acquiring a
commercial wind lease within the
Proposed Lease Area. Parties wishing to
indicate competitive interest in the
Proposed Lease Area should submit
detailed and specific information as
described in the section entitled
‘‘Required Indication of Interest
Information.’’ BOEM will consider the
responses to this public notice to
determine whether competitive interest
exists in the Proposed Lease Area.
This announcement also requests that
interested and affected parties comment
and provide information about site
conditions and any existing or planned
multiple uses within the Proposed Lease
Area that may be relevant to the
proposed project or its potential
impacts.
DATES: If you are submitting an
indication of interest in acquiring a
commercial wind lease for or within the
Proposed Lease Area, your submission
must be sent by mail, postmarked no
later than September 19, 2016 for your
submission to be considered. BOEM
requests comments or other submissions
of information by this same date.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURES: If you are
submitting an indication of interest in
acquiring a commercial wind lease,
please submit it by mail to the following
address: Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Pacific Region Office of
Strategic Resources, 760 Paseo
Camarillo, Suite 102 (CM 102),
Camarillo, California 93010.
Submissions must be postmarked by
September 19, 2016 to be considered by
BOEM for the purposes of determining
competitive interest. Your complete
submission must be provided to BOEM
in both paper and electronic formats.
BOEM considers an Adobe PDF file
stored on a compact disc (CD) to be an
acceptable format for submitting an
electronic copy. BOEM will list the
parties that submit indications of
interest and the OCS blocks proposed
for development on the BOEM Web site
after the 30-day comment period has
closed.
If you are submitting comments or
other information concerning the
Proposed Lease Area, you may use
either of the following two methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. In the entry
entitled ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID,’’ enter
BOEM–2016–0051 and then click
‘‘search.’’ Follow the instructions to
submit public comments and view
supporting and related materials
available for this notice.
2. U.S. Postal Service or other
delivery service. Send your comments
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and information to the following
address: Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Pacific Region Office of
Strategic Resources, 760 Paseo
Camarillo, Suite 102 (CM 102),
Camarillo, California 93010.
All responses will be reported on
https://www.regulations.gov. If you wish
to protect the confidentiality of your
submissions or comments, please
identify and clearly label privileged or
confidential information ‘‘Contains
Confidential Information.’’ Treatment of
confidential information is addressed in
the section of this notice entitled,
‘‘Privileged or Confidential
Information.’’ BOEM will post all
comments on https://
www.regulations.gov, unless it is labeled
in the manner described above.
Information that is not labeled as
privileged or confidential will be
regarded by BOEM as suitable for public
release.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Jean Thurston, Renewable Energy
Specialist, BOEM, Pacific Region Office
of Strategic Resources, 760 Paseo
Camarillo, Suite 102 (CM 102),
Camarillo, California 93010, Phone:
(805) 384–6303.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose of This Request for Interest
Responses to this public notice will
allow BOEM to determine, pursuant to
30 CFR 585.231, whether or not there is
competitive interest in acquiring an
OCS commercial wind lease in the
Proposed Lease Area. In addition, this
notice provides an opportunity for the
public to comment on the Proposed
Lease Area, the proposed project, and
any potential impacts wind energy
development in the Proposed Lease
Area may have. BOEM may use
comments received to further identify
and refine the area being considered for
wind energy development, and inform
future environmental analyses related to
the project.
Background
Trident Winds Proposal
Trident Winds’ proposed Morro Bay
Offshore Project would consist of a
utility-scale floating wind energy
facility offshore Morro Bay, California.
The proposed project would generate an
anticipated 765 megawatts (MW) of
electricity from approximately 100
floating units, each equipped with up to
an 8–MW wind turbine generator and
connected by inter-unit electrical
cabling, with a single transmission cable
exporting electricity to the mainland.
Trident Winds proposes to interconnect
the project with the California electrical
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 160 / Thursday, August 18, 2016 / Notices
grid at the existing Morro Bay Power
Plant. The proposal also includes plans
to increase the project to 1,000 MW at
a later date if an agreement is reached
between the developer and the State of
California to purchase the additional
power produced and additional
transmission power is available. At its
closest point, the project would be
located approximately 15 nmi offshore
Point Piedras Blancas in water depths of
approximately 2,900 feet. The Monterey
Bay National Marine Sanctuary is
located adjacent to the northeast
boundary of the proposed project.
Additional information on Trident
Wind’s unsolicited lease request can be
viewed at https://www.boem.gov/
California/.
California Renewable Energy Portfolio
Standards
In October 2015, the State of
California passed the Clean Energy and
Pollution Reduction Act of 2015 (SB–
350), requiring the amount of electricity
generated and sold to retail customers
per year from eligible renewable energy
resources be increased to 50 percent by
December 31, 2030. New and modified
electrical transmission facilities may be
necessary to achieve the SB–350 goals.
The proposed Trident Winds project
may provide additional renewable
energy capacity for use by the State of
California to achieve its SB–350 goals.
Determination of Competitive Interest
and the Leasing Process
After the publication of this notice,
BOEM will evaluate indications of
interest in acquiring a commercial wind
lease in the Proposed Lease Area. At the
conclusion of the comment period for
this public notice, BOEM will review
the submissions received and undertake
a completeness review for each of those
submissions and a qualifications review
for each of the nominating entities.
BOEM will then make a determination
as to whether competitive interest
exists.
If, in response to this notice, BOEM
receives one or more indications of
interest in acquiring a commercial wind
lease from qualified entities that wish to
compete for the Proposed Lease Area,
BOEM may decide to move forward
with the lease issuance process using
competitive procedures pursuant to 30
CFR 585.211–225. If BOEM receives no
competing indications of interest from
qualified companies, BOEM may decide
to move forward with the lease issuance
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process using the noncompetitive
procedures contained in 30 CFR
585.231–232.
Should BOEM decide to proceed with
issuing a lease in the Proposed Lease
Area, whether competitively or
noncompetitively, it will comply with
all applicable requirements and provide
the public with additional opportunities
to provide input pursuant to 30 CFR
part 585 and other applicable laws, such
as the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA). BOEM will also coordinate
and consult, as appropriate, with
relevant Federal agencies, affected
tribes, affected state agencies, and
affected local governments during the
lease development and issuance
process.
Description of the Proposed Lease Area
The Proposed Lease Area is located
off the central coast of California,
beginning approximately 15 nmi west of
Point Piedras Blancas. The area extends
approximately 21 nmi northwest to
southeast, with a maximum width of
approximately 6 nmi. The entire area is
approximately 106 square miles (67,963
acres) and consists of 5 OCS blocks and
17 partial OCS blocks (191 sub blocks)
(Table 1).
TABLE 1—LIST OF OCS BLOCKS INCLUDED IN THE REQUEST FOR INTEREST
Protraction name
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San
San
San
San
San
San
San
San
San
San
San
San
San
San
San
San
San
San
San
San
San
San
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Luis
Protraction number
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
Obispo
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
NI10–03
.............................
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The boundary of the Proposed Lease
Area follows the points listed in Table
Block
number
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
.............
6253
6254
6255
6303
6304
6305
6353
6354
6355
6403
6404
6405
6406
6454
6455
6456
6457
6458
6506
6507
6508
6558
Sub block
P.
A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P.
E,I,M.
D,H,L,P.
A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P.
A,E,I,M.
C,D,G,H,K,L,O,P.
A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P.
A,B,E,F,I,J,M,N.
C,D,G,H,K,L.
A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P.
A,B,E,F,G,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P.
M.
D.
A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,L.
A,B,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P.
E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P.
E,F,I,J,M,N.
C,D.
A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,K,L,P.
A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P.
A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H.
2 in clockwise order. Coordinates are
provided in UTM meters (UTM Zone
10N, NAD 83) and latitude/longitude
decimal degrees (NAD83).
TABLE 2—LIST OF BOUNDARY POINTS INCLUDED IN THE REQUEST FOR INTEREST
Point
number
UTM
(Easting)
1 .................................................................................................................
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610400
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UTM
(Northing)
Latitude
3955200
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35.7346059
18AUN1
Longitude
¥121.7791773
55230
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 160 / Thursday, August 18, 2016 / Notices
TABLE 2—LIST OF BOUNDARY POINTS INCLUDED IN THE REQUEST FOR INTEREST—Continued
Point
number
UTM
(Easting)
2 .................................................................................................................
3 .................................................................................................................
4 .................................................................................................................
5 .................................................................................................................
6 .................................................................................................................
7 .................................................................................................................
8 .................................................................................................................
9 .................................................................................................................
10 ...............................................................................................................
11 ...............................................................................................................
12 ...............................................................................................................
13 ...............................................................................................................
14 ...............................................................................................................
15 ...............................................................................................................
16 ...............................................................................................................
17 ...............................................................................................................
18 ...............................................................................................................
19 ...............................................................................................................
20 ...............................................................................................................
21 ...............................................................................................................
22 ...............................................................................................................
23 ...............................................................................................................
24 ...............................................................................................................
25 ...............................................................................................................
26 ...............................................................................................................
27 ...............................................................................................................
28 ...............................................................................................................
29 ...............................................................................................................
30 ...............................................................................................................
31 ...............................................................................................................
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33 ...............................................................................................................
34 ...............................................................................................................
35 ...............................................................................................................
36 ...............................................................................................................
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38 ...............................................................................................................
39 ...............................................................................................................
40 ...............................................................................................................
41 ...............................................................................................................
42 ...............................................................................................................
43 ...............................................................................................................
Map of the Proposed Lease Area
A map of the Proposed Lease Area can
be found at: https://www.boem.gov/
California/. A large-scale map of the
Proposed Lease Area showing
boundaries of the area with the
numbered blocks is available from
BOEM at the following address: Bureau
of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific
Region Office of Strategic Resources,
760 Paseo Camarillo, Suite 102, Second
Floor, Camarillo, California 93010.
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Department of Defense Activities and
Potential Stipulations
The Department of Defense (DOD)
conducts offshore testing, training, and
operations on the OCS and may request
that BOEM condition any activities that
might take place in the Proposed Lease
Area. BOEM will consult with DOD
regarding potential issues concerning
offshore testing, training, and
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UTM
(Northing)
615200
615200
616400
616400
617600
617600
618800
618800
620000
620000
621200
621200
622400
622400
632000
632000
634400
634400
629600
629600
628400
628400
627200
627200
624800
624800
622400
622400
620000
620000
618800
618800
615200
615200
614000
614000
610400
610400
608000
608000
609200
609200
operational activities in an effort to try
to minimize any potential impacts, and
may develop stipulations, as
appropriate, to mitigate the effects of
renewable energy activities on any DOD
activities in and around the Proposed
Lease Area.
Required Indication of Interest
Information
If you intend to submit an indication
of interest in acquiring a commercial
wind lease within the Proposed Lease
Area, you must provide the following:
(1) The BOEM Protraction name,
number, and specific whole or partial
OCS blocks within the Proposed Lease
Area that are of interest for commercial
wind leasing, including any required
buffer area(s). If your area(s) includes
partial blocks, include the sub-block
letter (A–P). Additionally, you should
submit a shapefile or geodatabase of the
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Latitude
3955200
3954000
3954000
3945600
3945600
3939600
3939600
3938400
3938400
3937200
3937200
3936000
3936000
3934800
3934800
3931200
3931200
3924000
3924000
3926400
3926400
3927600
3927600
3928800
3928800
3930000
3930000
3931200
3931200
3932400
3932400
3933600
3933600
3934800
3934800
3936000
3936000
3937200
3937200
3945600
3945600
3951600
35.73405568
35.72323874
35.72309758
35.64737882
35.6472366
35.59315144
35.59300805
35.58219101
35.58204622
35.57122922
35.57108303
35.56026607
35.56011849
35.54930157
35.54806908
35.51561966
35.5152974
35.45039878
35.45103598
35.47266944
35.47282524
35.48364201
35.48379642
35.49461323
35.49491784
35.50573474
35.50603368
35.51685068
35.51714393
35.52796103
35.52810553
35.53892267
35.53934765
35.55016493
35.55030374
35.56112106
35.56152894
35.57234641
35.57261116
35.64833356
35.64820154
35.70228811
Longitude
¥121.7261096
¥121.7262819
¥121.7130169
¥121.7142327
¥121.7009804
¥121.7018549
¥121.6886116
¥121.688788
¥121.6755466
¥121.6757246
¥121.6624851
¥121.6626649
¥121.6494272
¥121.6496087
¥121.5437251
¥121.5443115
¥121.5178522
¥121.5190434
¥121.5719198
¥121.5715373
¥121.5847602
¥121.5845706
¥121.5977953
¥121.5976074
¥121.6240607
¥121.6238762
¥121.6503335
¥121.6501524
¥121.6766137
¥121.676436
¥121.6896686
¥121.6894926
¥121.7291961
¥121.7290254
¥121.7422619
¥121.7420929
¥121.7818081
¥121.7816443
¥121.8081251
¥121.8070013
¥121.7937484
-121.7929341
project area compatible with ArcGIS
10.3 and in either NAD 83 unprojected,
or NAD 83 UTM Zone 10 N. Any
request for a commercial wind lease
located outside of the Proposed Lease
Area should be submitted separately
pursuant to 30 CFR 585.230;
(2) A general description of your
objectives and the facilities that you
would use to achieve those objectives;
(3) A general schedule of proposed
activities, including those leading to the
development of a commercial wind
energy project within the Proposed
Lease Area;
(4) Available and pertinent data and
information concerning renewable
energy resources and environmental
conditions in the area that you wish to
lease, including energy and resource
data and information used to evaluate
the area of interest. Where applicable,
spatial information should be submitted
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in a format compatible with ArcGIS 10.3
in either NAD 83 unprojected, or NAD
83 UTM Zone 10 N;
(5) Documentation demonstrating that
you are legally qualified to hold a lease
as set forth in 30 CFR 585.106–107.
Legal qualification documents will be
placed in an official file that may be
made available for public review. If you
wish that any part of your legal
qualification documentation be kept
confidential, clearly identify what
should be kept confidential, and submit
it under separate cover (see ‘‘Protection
of Privileged or Confidential
Information Section,’’ below); and
(6) Documentation demonstrating that
you are technically and financially
capable of constructing, operating,
maintaining, and decommissioning the
facilities described in paragraph (2)
above. Guidance regarding the
documentation that could be used to
demonstrate your technical and
financial qualifications can be found at:
https://www.boem.gov/RenewableEnergy-Program/RegulatoryInformation/QualificationGuidelinespdf.aspx. If you wish for any part of
your technical and financial
qualification documentation to be kept
confidential, clearly identify what
should be kept confidential, and submit
it under separate cover (see ‘‘Protection
of Privileged or Confidential
Information,’’ below).
It is critical that you provide a
complete submission of interest so that
BOEM may consider your submission in
a timely manner. If BOEM reviews your
submission and determines that it is
incomplete, BOEM will inform you of
this determination in writing and
describe the information that BOEM
needs from you in order for BOEM to
deem your submission complete. You
will be given 15 business days from the
date of the letter to provide any
information that BOEM has deemed
missing from your original submission.
If you do not meet this deadline, or if
BOEM determines that your second
submission is also insufficient, BOEM
may deem your submission invalid. In
such a case, BOEM will not consider
your submission.
Requested Information From Interested
or Affected Parties
BOEM is also requesting specific and
detailed comments from the public and
interested or affected parties regarding
the following:
(1) Geological and geophysical
conditions (including seabed conditions
and shallow hazards) in the Proposed
Lease Area;
(2) Historic properties and
archaeological resources potentially
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affected by the installation of wind
facilities in the Proposed Lease Area;
(3) Other uses of the Proposed Lease
Area, including, but not limited to,
navigation (including commercial and
recreational vessel usage); commercial
and recreational fishing; recreational
activities (e.g., dive sites, surfing,
wildlife viewing, and scenic areas);
Department of Defense activities;
aviation; other energy-related
development activities; scientific
research; and utilities and
communications infrastructure (e.g.,
undersea energy and/or
telecommunications cables);
(4) Other relevant environmental
information relating to the Proposed
Lease Area, including but not limited to:
national marine sanctuary resources,
protected species and habitats, marine
mammals, sea turtles, birds, fish,
zooplankton, and cultural resources;
and
(5) Socioeconomic information
relating to the Proposed Lease Area,
such as demographics and employment
or information relevant to
environmental justice considerations.
Protection of Privileged or Confidential
Information
Freedom of Information Act
BOEM will protect privileged or
confidential information you submit
when required by the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA). Exemption 4 of
FOIA applies to trade secrets and
commercial or financial information
that is privileged or confidential. If you
wish to protect the confidentiality of
such information, please identify and
clearly label it with ‘‘Contains
Confidential Information’’ and request
BOEM treat it as confidential. BOEM
will not disclose such information if it
qualifies for exemption from disclosure
under FOIA. Information not labeled as
privileged or confidential will be
regarded by BOEM as suitable for public
release.
BOEM will not treat as confidential
any aggregate summaries of privileged
or confidential information or
comments not containing such
information. Additionally, BOEM will
not treat as confidential (1) the legal title
of any entity submitting an indication of
interest (for example, the name of your
company), or (2) the list of whole or
partial blocks that you are indicating an
interest in leasing.
Section 304 of the National Historic
Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470w–3(a))
BOEM is required to withhold the
location, character, or ownership of
historic resources if it determines
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55231
disclosure may, among other things, risk
harm to the historic resources or impede
the use of a traditional religious site by
practitioners. Those providing
information eligible for protection under
section 304 of NHPA should designate
such information as confidential.
Dated: July 27, 2016.
Abigail Ross Hopper,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management.
[FR Doc. 2016–19349 Filed 8–17–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[USITC SE–16–029]
Government in the Sunshine Act
Meeting Notice
United
States International Trade Commission.
TIME AND DATE: August 24, 2016 at 11:00
a.m.
PLACE: Room 101, 500 E Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20436, Telephone:
(202) 205–2000.
STATUS: Open to the public.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED:
1. Agendas for future meetings: None.
2. Minutes.
3. Ratification List.
4. Vote in Inv. Nos. 701–TA–467 and
731–TA–1164–1165 (Review) (Narrow
Woven Ribbons with Woven Selvedge
from China and Taiwan). The
Commission is currently scheduled to
complete and file its determinations and
views of the Commission on September
9, 2016.
5. Outstanding action jackets: None.
In accordance with Commission
policy, subject matter listed above, not
disposed of at the scheduled meeting,
may be carried over to the agenda of the
following meeting.
AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING:
By order of the Commission.
Issued: August 15, 2016.
William R. Bishop,
Supervisory Hearings and Information
Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016–19806 Filed 8–16–16; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 731–TA–1306 (Final)]
Large Residential Washers From
China; Scheduling of the Final Phase
of an Antidumping Duty Investigation
United States International
Trade Commission.
AGENCY:
E:\FR\FM\18AUN1.SGM
18AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 160 (Thursday, August 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55228-55231]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19349]
[[Page 55228]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM-2016-0051; MMAA104000]
Potential Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore California--Request for Interest
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Public notice of an unsolicited request for a commercial OCS
wind lease, request for interest (RFI), and request for public comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The purpose of this public notice is to: (1) Describe the
unsolicited proposal submitted to BOEM by Trident Winds, LLC (Trident
Winds) to acquire an OCS commercial wind lease; (2) solicit submissions
of indications of interest in acquiring a commercial lease for wind
energy development on the OCS offshore California in the area described
in this notice; and (3) solicit public input regarding the area
described in this notice, the potential environmental consequences
associated with wind energy development in the area, and existing and
planned multiple uses of the area.
On January 14, 2016, BOEM received an unsolicited request from
Trident Winds for a commercial wind lease on the OCS. Trident Winds'
proposed project would consist of a utility-scale floating wind energy
facility offshore Morro Bay, California that would interconnect with
the California electrical grid at the existing Morro Bay Power Plant.
The project would be located, at its closest point, approximately 15
nautical miles (nmi) offshore Point Piedras Blancas in water depths of
approximately 2,900 feet. Additional information on Trident Winds'
unsolicited lease request can be viewed at https://www.boem.gov/California/.
This RFI is published pursuant to subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS
Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3), and BOEM's implementing regulations at
30 CFR part 585. Subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS Lands Act requires that
OCS renewable energy leases, easements, and rights-of-way be issued
``on a competitive basis unless the Secretary [of the Interior]
determines after public notice of a proposed lease, easement, or right-
of-way that there is no competitive interest.'' This RFI provides
public notice for the area requested by Trident Winds (the Proposed
Lease Area) that is described below in the section ``Description of the
Proposed Lease Area,'' and invites the submission of indications of
interest in acquiring a commercial wind lease within the Proposed Lease
Area. Parties wishing to indicate competitive interest in the Proposed
Lease Area should submit detailed and specific information as described
in the section entitled ``Required Indication of Interest
Information.'' BOEM will consider the responses to this public notice
to determine whether competitive interest exists in the Proposed Lease
Area.
This announcement also requests that interested and affected
parties comment and provide information about site conditions and any
existing or planned multiple uses within the Proposed Lease Area that
may be relevant to the proposed project or its potential impacts.
DATES: If you are submitting an indication of interest in acquiring a
commercial wind lease for or within the Proposed Lease Area, your
submission must be sent by mail, postmarked no later than September 19,
2016 for your submission to be considered. BOEM requests comments or
other submissions of information by this same date.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURES: If you are submitting an indication of interest
in acquiring a commercial wind lease, please submit it by mail to the
following address: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific Region
Office of Strategic Resources, 760 Paseo Camarillo, Suite 102 (CM 102),
Camarillo, California 93010. Submissions must be postmarked by
September 19, 2016 to be considered by BOEM for the purposes of
determining competitive interest. Your complete submission must be
provided to BOEM in both paper and electronic formats. BOEM considers
an Adobe PDF file stored on a compact disc (CD) to be an acceptable
format for submitting an electronic copy. BOEM will list the parties
that submit indications of interest and the OCS blocks proposed for
development on the BOEM Web site after the 30-day comment period has
closed.
If you are submitting comments or other information concerning the
Proposed Lease Area, you may use either of the following two methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the
entry entitled ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter BOEM-2016-0051 and then
click ``search.'' Follow the instructions to submit public comments and
view supporting and related materials available for this notice.
2. U.S. Postal Service or other delivery service. Send your
comments and information to the following address: Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management, Pacific Region Office of Strategic Resources, 760
Paseo Camarillo, Suite 102 (CM 102), Camarillo, California 93010.
All responses will be reported on https://www.regulations.gov. If
you wish to protect the confidentiality of your submissions or
comments, please identify and clearly label privileged or confidential
information ``Contains Confidential Information.'' Treatment of
confidential information is addressed in the section of this notice
entitled, ``Privileged or Confidential Information.'' BOEM will post
all comments on https://www.regulations.gov, unless it is labeled in the
manner described above. Information that is not labeled as privileged
or confidential will be regarded by BOEM as suitable for public
release.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jean Thurston, Renewable Energy
Specialist, BOEM, Pacific Region Office of Strategic Resources, 760
Paseo Camarillo, Suite 102 (CM 102), Camarillo, California 93010,
Phone: (805) 384-6303.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose of This Request for Interest
Responses to this public notice will allow BOEM to determine,
pursuant to 30 CFR 585.231, whether or not there is competitive
interest in acquiring an OCS commercial wind lease in the Proposed
Lease Area. In addition, this notice provides an opportunity for the
public to comment on the Proposed Lease Area, the proposed project, and
any potential impacts wind energy development in the Proposed Lease
Area may have. BOEM may use comments received to further identify and
refine the area being considered for wind energy development, and
inform future environmental analyses related to the project.
Background
Trident Winds Proposal
Trident Winds' proposed Morro Bay Offshore Project would consist of
a utility-scale floating wind energy facility offshore Morro Bay,
California. The proposed project would generate an anticipated 765
megawatts (MW) of electricity from approximately 100 floating units,
each equipped with up to an 8-MW wind turbine generator and connected
by inter-unit electrical cabling, with a single transmission cable
exporting electricity to the mainland. Trident Winds proposes to
interconnect the project with the California electrical
[[Page 55229]]
grid at the existing Morro Bay Power Plant. The proposal also includes
plans to increase the project to 1,000 MW at a later date if an
agreement is reached between the developer and the State of California
to purchase the additional power produced and additional transmission
power is available. At its closest point, the project would be located
approximately 15 nmi offshore Point Piedras Blancas in water depths of
approximately 2,900 feet. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is
located adjacent to the northeast boundary of the proposed project.
Additional information on Trident Wind's unsolicited lease request can
be viewed at https://www.boem.gov/California/.
California Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards
In October 2015, the State of California passed the Clean Energy
and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015 (SB-350), requiring the amount of
electricity generated and sold to retail customers per year from
eligible renewable energy resources be increased to 50 percent by
December 31, 2030. New and modified electrical transmission facilities
may be necessary to achieve the SB-350 goals. The proposed Trident
Winds project may provide additional renewable energy capacity for use
by the State of California to achieve its SB-350 goals.
Determination of Competitive Interest and the Leasing Process
After the publication of this notice, BOEM will evaluate
indications of interest in acquiring a commercial wind lease in the
Proposed Lease Area. At the conclusion of the comment period for this
public notice, BOEM will review the submissions received and undertake
a completeness review for each of those submissions and a
qualifications review for each of the nominating entities. BOEM will
then make a determination as to whether competitive interest exists.
If, in response to this notice, BOEM receives one or more
indications of interest in acquiring a commercial wind lease from
qualified entities that wish to compete for the Proposed Lease Area,
BOEM may decide to move forward with the lease issuance process using
competitive procedures pursuant to 30 CFR 585.211-225. If BOEM receives
no competing indications of interest from qualified companies, BOEM may
decide to move forward with the lease issuance process using the
noncompetitive procedures contained in 30 CFR 585.231-232.
Should BOEM decide to proceed with issuing a lease in the Proposed
Lease Area, whether competitively or noncompetitively, it will comply
with all applicable requirements and provide the public with additional
opportunities to provide input pursuant to 30 CFR part 585 and other
applicable laws, such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
BOEM will also coordinate and consult, as appropriate, with relevant
Federal agencies, affected tribes, affected state agencies, and
affected local governments during the lease development and issuance
process.
Description of the Proposed Lease Area
The Proposed Lease Area is located off the central coast of
California, beginning approximately 15 nmi west of Point Piedras
Blancas. The area extends approximately 21 nmi northwest to southeast,
with a maximum width of approximately 6 nmi. The entire area is
approximately 106 square miles (67,963 acres) and consists of 5 OCS
blocks and 17 partial OCS blocks (191 sub blocks) (Table 1).
Table 1--List of OCS Blocks Included in the Request for Interest
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Protraction name Protraction number Block number Sub block
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6253 P.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6254 A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O
,P.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6255 E,I,M.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6303 D,H,L,P.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6304 A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O
,P.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6305 A,E,I,M.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6353 C,D,G,H,K,L,O,P.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6354 A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O
,P.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6355 A,B,E,F,I,J,M,N.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6403 C,D,G,H,K,L.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6404 A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O
,P.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6405 A,B,E,F,G,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6406 M.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6454 D.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6455 A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,L.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6456 A,B,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6457 E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6458 E,F,I,J,M,N.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6506 C,D.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6507 A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,K,L,P.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6508 A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O
,P.
San Luis Obispo....................... NI10-03.................. 6558 A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The boundary of the Proposed Lease Area follows the points listed
in Table 2 in clockwise order. Coordinates are provided in UTM meters
(UTM Zone 10N, NAD 83) and latitude/longitude decimal degrees (NAD83).
Table 2--List of Boundary Points Included in the Request for Interest
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point number UTM (Easting) UTM (Northing) Latitude Longitude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................................ 610400 3955200 35.7346059 -121.7791773
[[Page 55230]]
2............................................ 615200 3955200 35.73405568 -121.7261096
3............................................ 615200 3954000 35.72323874 -121.7262819
4............................................ 616400 3954000 35.72309758 -121.7130169
5............................................ 616400 3945600 35.64737882 -121.7142327
6............................................ 617600 3945600 35.6472366 -121.7009804
7............................................ 617600 3939600 35.59315144 -121.7018549
8............................................ 618800 3939600 35.59300805 -121.6886116
9............................................ 618800 3938400 35.58219101 -121.688788
10........................................... 620000 3938400 35.58204622 -121.6755466
11........................................... 620000 3937200 35.57122922 -121.6757246
12........................................... 621200 3937200 35.57108303 -121.6624851
13........................................... 621200 3936000 35.56026607 -121.6626649
14........................................... 622400 3936000 35.56011849 -121.6494272
15........................................... 622400 3934800 35.54930157 -121.6496087
16........................................... 632000 3934800 35.54806908 -121.5437251
17........................................... 632000 3931200 35.51561966 -121.5443115
18........................................... 634400 3931200 35.5152974 -121.5178522
19........................................... 634400 3924000 35.45039878 -121.5190434
20........................................... 629600 3924000 35.45103598 -121.5719198
21........................................... 629600 3926400 35.47266944 -121.5715373
22........................................... 628400 3926400 35.47282524 -121.5847602
23........................................... 628400 3927600 35.48364201 -121.5845706
24........................................... 627200 3927600 35.48379642 -121.5977953
25........................................... 627200 3928800 35.49461323 -121.5976074
26........................................... 624800 3928800 35.49491784 -121.6240607
27........................................... 624800 3930000 35.50573474 -121.6238762
28........................................... 622400 3930000 35.50603368 -121.6503335
29........................................... 622400 3931200 35.51685068 -121.6501524
30........................................... 620000 3931200 35.51714393 -121.6766137
31........................................... 620000 3932400 35.52796103 -121.676436
32........................................... 618800 3932400 35.52810553 -121.6896686
33........................................... 618800 3933600 35.53892267 -121.6894926
34........................................... 615200 3933600 35.53934765 -121.7291961
35........................................... 615200 3934800 35.55016493 -121.7290254
36........................................... 614000 3934800 35.55030374 -121.7422619
37........................................... 614000 3936000 35.56112106 -121.7420929
38........................................... 610400 3936000 35.56152894 -121.7818081
39........................................... 610400 3937200 35.57234641 -121.7816443
40........................................... 608000 3937200 35.57261116 -121.8081251
41........................................... 608000 3945600 35.64833356 -121.8070013
42........................................... 609200 3945600 35.64820154 -121.7937484
43........................................... 609200 3951600 35.70228811 -121.7929341
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Map of the Proposed Lease Area
A map of the Proposed Lease Area can be found at: https://www.boem.gov/California/. A large-scale map of the Proposed Lease Area
showing boundaries of the area with the numbered blocks is available
from BOEM at the following address: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management,
Pacific Region Office of Strategic Resources, 760 Paseo Camarillo,
Suite 102, Second Floor, Camarillo, California 93010.
Department of Defense Activities and Potential Stipulations
The Department of Defense (DOD) conducts offshore testing,
training, and operations on the OCS and may request that BOEM condition
any activities that might take place in the Proposed Lease Area. BOEM
will consult with DOD regarding potential issues concerning offshore
testing, training, and operational activities in an effort to try to
minimize any potential impacts, and may develop stipulations, as
appropriate, to mitigate the effects of renewable energy activities on
any DOD activities in and around the Proposed Lease Area.
Required Indication of Interest Information
If you intend to submit an indication of interest in acquiring a
commercial wind lease within the Proposed Lease Area, you must provide
the following:
(1) The BOEM Protraction name, number, and specific whole or
partial OCS blocks within the Proposed Lease Area that are of interest
for commercial wind leasing, including any required buffer area(s). If
your area(s) includes partial blocks, include the sub-block letter (A-
P). Additionally, you should submit a shapefile or geodatabase of the
project area compatible with ArcGIS 10.3 and in either NAD 83
unprojected, or NAD 83 UTM Zone 10 N. Any request for a commercial wind
lease located outside of the Proposed Lease Area should be submitted
separately pursuant to 30 CFR 585.230;
(2) A general description of your objectives and the facilities
that you would use to achieve those objectives;
(3) A general schedule of proposed activities, including those
leading to the development of a commercial wind energy project within
the Proposed Lease Area;
(4) Available and pertinent data and information concerning
renewable energy resources and environmental conditions in the area
that you wish to lease, including energy and resource data and
information used to evaluate the area of interest. Where applicable,
spatial information should be submitted
[[Page 55231]]
in a format compatible with ArcGIS 10.3 in either NAD 83 unprojected,
or NAD 83 UTM Zone 10 N;
(5) Documentation demonstrating that you are legally qualified to
hold a lease as set forth in 30 CFR 585.106-107. Legal qualification
documents will be placed in an official file that may be made available
for public review. If you wish that any part of your legal
qualification documentation be kept confidential, clearly identify what
should be kept confidential, and submit it under separate cover (see
``Protection of Privileged or Confidential Information Section,''
below); and
(6) Documentation demonstrating that you are technically and
financially capable of constructing, operating, maintaining, and
decommissioning the facilities described in paragraph (2) above.
Guidance regarding the documentation that could be used to demonstrate
your technical and financial qualifications can be found at: https://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/Regulatory-Information/QualificationGuidelines-pdf.aspx. If you wish for any part of your
technical and financial qualification documentation to be kept
confidential, clearly identify what should be kept confidential, and
submit it under separate cover (see ``Protection of Privileged or
Confidential Information,'' below).
It is critical that you provide a complete submission of interest
so that BOEM may consider your submission in a timely manner. If BOEM
reviews your submission and determines that it is incomplete, BOEM will
inform you of this determination in writing and describe the
information that BOEM needs from you in order for BOEM to deem your
submission complete. You will be given 15 business days from the date
of the letter to provide any information that BOEM has deemed missing
from your original submission. If you do not meet this deadline, or if
BOEM determines that your second submission is also insufficient, BOEM
may deem your submission invalid. In such a case, BOEM will not
consider your submission.
Requested Information From Interested or Affected Parties
BOEM is also requesting specific and detailed comments from the
public and interested or affected parties regarding the following:
(1) Geological and geophysical conditions (including seabed
conditions and shallow hazards) in the Proposed Lease Area;
(2) Historic properties and archaeological resources potentially
affected by the installation of wind facilities in the Proposed Lease
Area;
(3) Other uses of the Proposed Lease Area, including, but not
limited to, navigation (including commercial and recreational vessel
usage); commercial and recreational fishing; recreational activities
(e.g., dive sites, surfing, wildlife viewing, and scenic areas);
Department of Defense activities; aviation; other energy-related
development activities; scientific research; and utilities and
communications infrastructure (e.g., undersea energy and/or
telecommunications cables);
(4) Other relevant environmental information relating to the
Proposed Lease Area, including but not limited to: national marine
sanctuary resources, protected species and habitats, marine mammals,
sea turtles, birds, fish, zooplankton, and cultural resources; and
(5) Socioeconomic information relating to the Proposed Lease Area,
such as demographics and employment or information relevant to
environmental justice considerations.
Protection of Privileged or Confidential Information
Freedom of Information Act
BOEM will protect privileged or confidential information you submit
when required by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Exemption 4 of
FOIA applies to trade secrets and commercial or financial information
that is privileged or confidential. If you wish to protect the
confidentiality of such information, please identify and clearly label
it with ``Contains Confidential Information'' and request BOEM treat it
as confidential. BOEM will not disclose such information if it
qualifies for exemption from disclosure under FOIA. Information not
labeled as privileged or confidential will be regarded by BOEM as
suitable for public release.
BOEM will not treat as confidential any aggregate summaries of
privileged or confidential information or comments not containing such
information. Additionally, BOEM will not treat as confidential (1) the
legal title of any entity submitting an indication of interest (for
example, the name of your company), or (2) the list of whole or partial
blocks that you are indicating an interest in leasing.
Section 304 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470w-
3(a))
BOEM is required to withhold the location, character, or ownership
of historic resources if it determines disclosure may, among other
things, risk harm to the historic resources or impede the use of a
traditional religious site by practitioners. Those providing
information eligible for protection under section 304 of NHPA should
designate such information as confidential.
Dated: July 27, 2016.
Abigail Ross Hopper,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2016-19349 Filed 8-17-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
