Potential Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore Oregon, Request for Interest, 59968-59972 [2013-23699]

Download as PDF 59968 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 189 / Monday, September 30, 2013 / Notices of Arizona; White Mountain Apache Tribe of the Fort Apache Reservation, Arizona; and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico that this notice has been published. Dated: August 21, 2013. Sherry Hutt, Manager, National NAGPRA Program. [FR Doc. 2013–23800 Filed 9–27–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–50–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–WASO–NAGPRA–13725; PPWOCRADN0–PCU00RP14.R50000] Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington, DC, and Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ National Park Service, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, have determined that the cultural item listed in this notice meets the definition of a sacred object. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim these cultural items should submit a written request to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural items to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed. DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim this cultural item should submit a written request with information in support of the claim to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs at the address in this notice by October 30, 2013. ADDRESSES: Anna Pardo, Museum Program Manager/NAGPRA Coordinator, U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Affairs, 12220 Sunrise Valley Drive, Room 6084, Reston, VA 20191, telephone (703) 390–6343, email Anna.Pardo@bia.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:06 Sep 27, 2013 Jkt 229001 Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3005, of the intent to repatriate a cultural item under the control of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington, DC, and in the physical custody of the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, that meets the definition of sacred object under 25 U.S.C. 3001. This notice is published as part of the National Park Service’s administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native American cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. History and Description of the Cultural Item At an unknown date in 1972 or 1973, one cultural item was removed from a site near Cave Spring, northwest of Shungopavi Village on Second Mesa, AZ. A frequent visitor to the Hopi Reservation removed this item and gave it away as a wedding present. The recipient of this item donated it to the Arizona State Museum in February 2008. The one sacred object is a bowl, identified by staff at the Arizona State Museum as Tusayan White Ware, and probably Flagstaff Black-on-white, a prehistoric pottery type, which dates to approximately A.D. 1200. This item appears to be Hopi by virtue of the circumstances of its acquisition, and through identification by Hopi cultural specialists. This object is regarded as a sacred object and used by the Hopi as a cleansing medicine bowl for the practice of the Hopi ceremonies, including the Katsina home dances. The Hopi Cultural Preservation Office of the Hopi Tribe hereby asserts cultural affiliation to the sacred object. Determinations Made by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington, DC, and the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona Officials of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington, DC, and the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, have determined that: • Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the one cultural item described above is a specific ceremonial object needed by traditional Native American religious leaders for the practice of traditional Native American religions by their present-day adherents. • Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 between the sacred object and the Hopi Tribe of Arizona. Additional Requestors and Disposition Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim these cultural items should submit a written request with information in support of the claim to Anna Pardo, Museum Program Manager/NAGPRA Coordinator, U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Affairs, 12220 Sunrise Valley Drive, Room 6084, Reston, VA 20191, telephone (703) 390–6343, email Anna.Pardo@bia.gov, by October 30, 2013. After that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the sacred object to the Hopi Tribe of Arizona may proceed. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is responsible for notifying the Hopi Tribe of Arizona that this notice has been published. Dated: August 6, 2013. Sherry Hutt, Manager, National NAGPRA Program. [FR Doc. 2013–23819 Filed 9–27–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–50–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [Docket No. BOEM–2013–0050; MMAA104000] Potential Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore Oregon, 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 proposal submitted to BOEM by Principle Power, Inc. (Principle Power) to acquire an OCS commercial wind lease; (2) solicit submissions of indications of interest in obtaining a commercial lease for wind energy development on the OCS offshore Oregon in the area described in this notice; and (3) solicit initial public input regarding the area described in this notice, the potential environmental consequences of wind energy development in the area, and the multiple uses of the area. On May 15, 2013, BOEM received an unsolicited request from Principle Power for a commercial wind lease on the OCS offshore Oregon. Principle SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM 30SEN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 189 / Monday, September 30, 2013 / Notices Power’s proposed project, the ‘‘WindFloat Pacific Project,’’ would consist of a floating wind energy demonstration facility offshore Coos Bay, Oregon. The project is designed to generate 30 megawatts (MW) of electricity from five floating ‘‘WindFloat’’ units, each equipped with a 6–MW offshore wind turbine, connected by inter-unit electrical cabling, with a single transmission cable exporting electricity to the mainland that would extend across both Federal and state lands. The project would be located approximately 16 nautical miles (nmi) west of Coos Bay, Oregon in water depths of approximately 1,400 feet. Additional information on Principle Power’s unsolicited lease request can be viewed at https://www.boem.gov/StateActivities-Oregon/. This RFI is published pursuant to subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS Lands Act, as amended by section 388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3)), and the implementing regulations at 30 CFR 585.231(b). 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 (Secretary) determines after public notice of a proposed lease, easement, or right-ofway that there is no competitive interest.’’ This RFI provides such public notice for the proposed lease area requested by Principle Power and invites the submission of indications of interest. BOEM is soliciting submissions of interest in commercial wind energy development with this notice. BOEM will consider the responses to this public notice to determine whether competitive interest exists for the area requested by Principle Power, as required by 43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3). Parties wishing to obtain a commercial lease for wind energy development for the area described below under ‘‘Description of the Proposed Lease Area’’ should submit detailed and specific information as described in the section entitled, ‘‘Required Indication of Interest Information.’’ This announcement also requests that interested and affected parties comment and provide information about site conditions and multiple uses within the area identified in this notice that would be relevant to the proposed project or its impacts. This is the first step in the OCS renewable energy leasing process. There will be additional opportunities to provide comment pursuant to 30 CFR part 585 and applicable laws, such as the opportunity to comment on the environmental analysis that BOEM will prepare under the National VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:06 Sep 27, 2013 Jkt 229001 Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), before any lease is issued. A detailed description of the proposed lease area can be found in the section of this notice entitled, ‘‘Description of the Area.’’ If you are submitting an indication of interest in acquiring a lease for the proposed lease area, your submission must be sent by mail, postmarked no later than October 30, 2013 for your submission to be considered. If you are providing comments or other submissions of information, you may send them by mail, postmarked by this same date, or you may submit them through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov, also by this same date. SUBMISSION PROCEDURES: If you are submitting an indication of interest in a lease, please submit it by mail to the following address: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific Region Office of Strategic Resources, 770 Paseo Camarillo, Second Floor, Camarillo, California 93010. Submissions must be postmarked by October 30, 2013 to be considered by BOEM for the purposes of determining competitive interest. In addition to a paper copy of your submission, include an electronic copy; BOEM considers an Adobe PDF file stored on a compact disk (CD) to be an acceptable format for submitting an electronic copy. BOEM will list the parties that submit indications of interest 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–2013–0050 and then click ‘‘search.’’ Follow the instructions to submit public comments and view supporting and related materials available for this notice. 2. Alternatively, comments may be submitted by mail to the following address: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific Region Office of Strategic Resources, 770 Paseo Camarillo, Second Floor, Camarillo, California 93010. If you wish to protect the confidentiality of your submissions or comments, clearly mark the relevant sections and request that BOEM treat them as confidential. Please label privileged or confidential information ‘‘Contains Confidential Information’’ and consider submitting such information as a separate attachment. DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 59969 Treatment of confidential information is addressed in the section of this notice entitled, ‘‘Privileged or Confidential Information.’’ BOEM will post all comments on www.regulations.gov, unless labeled as confidential. 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 Program Specialist, BOEM, Pacific Region Office of Strategic Resources, 770 Paseo Camarillo, Second Floor, Camarillo, California 93010, Phone: (805) 384–4704. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of this RFI 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 interested stakeholders to comment on the proposed lease area, the proposed project, and any potential impacts wind energy development may have in the area. BOEM may use comments received to further identify and refine the area requested and inform future environmental analyses related to the project. This is the first opportunity for public input; additional opportunities will be provided pursuant to 30 CFR part 585 and applicable laws and BOEM practices. If, in response to this notice, BOEM receives one or more indications of interest in offshore wind energy development 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 Part 585. If BOEM receives no competing indications of interest from qualified companies, BOEM may decide to move forward with the lease issuance process using the non-competitive procedures contained in 30 CFR part 585. Background National Offshore Wind Strategy In 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of the Interior Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy released the National Offshore Wind Strategy, which identified challenges facing development of offshore wind energy and outlined actions to support the goals of developing an offshore wind industry in the United States. DOE’s E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM 30SEN1 59970 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 189 / Monday, September 30, 2013 / Notices Wind and Water Power Program released a formal Offshore Wind Innovation and Demonstration Initiative, consistent with the National Offshore Wind Strategy goals, to promote and accelerate responsible commercial offshore wind development in the United States. To address the objectives of the Strategy, funding was planned for Advanced Technology Demonstration Projects that verify innovative designs and technology developments and validate full performance and cost under real operating and market conditions. On December 12, 2012, the DOE announced award funding for seven proposed offshore wind demonstration projects under the ‘‘Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity Announcement (DOE–FOA–0000410) U.S. Offshore Wind: Advanced Technology Demonstration Projects.’’ The awards went to projects that demonstrated the ability to progress toward achieving the national goals of the National Offshore Wind Strategy. Principle Power submitted an application in response to the DOE–FOA–0000410 and was selected as one of the seven award recipients. From the seven original projects selected for an award, DOE will choose three projects for continued funding in the spring of 2014. Principle Power has submitted a lease request to BOEM in an effort to move forward in the DOE funding process. Determination of Competitive Interest and Leasing Process After the publication of this announcement, BOEM will evaluate indications of interest in acquiring a commercial 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 BOEM determines that there is no competitive interest in the proposed lease area, it will publish a notice stating that there is no competitive interest in the Federal Register. At that point, BOEM may decide to proceed with the noncompetitive lease issuance process pursuant to 30 CFR 585.231, and Principle Power would need to submit any required plan(s). If BOEM determines that there is competitive interest, it may move forward with the leasing process outlined in 30 CFR 585.211. Whether following competitive or non-competitive procedures, BOEM would consult with the BOEM Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force and comply with all applicable requirements before making a decision on whether or not to issue a lease and approve, disapprove, or approve with modifications any associated plan(s). BOEM would 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 coast of Oregon, approximately 16 nmi west of, Coos Bay, Oregon. From its most northeastern point the area extends approximately 5.18 nmi south and 2.59 nmi west. The project area consists of four partial OCS blocks. The entire area is approximately 15.01159 square miles (9,607.419 acres or 3,888 hectares). TABLE 1—LIST OF OCS BLOCKS INCLUDED IN THE REQUEST FOR INTEREST Protraction number Protraction name Coos Coos Coos Coos Bay Bay Bay Bay ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... ....................................................................... The boundary of the proposed lease area follows the points listed in Table 2 in clockwise order. Point numbers 1 and NK NK NK NK 10–01 10–01 10–01 10–01 Block number ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ ........................................................ 25 are the same. Coordinates are provided in X, Y (eastings, northings) 6573 6574 6623 6624 Sub block L,P A,B,C,E,F,G,I,J,K,M,N,O D,H,L,P A,B,C,E,F,I,J,M,N UTM Zone 18N, NAD 83 and geographic (latitude, longitude) NAD83. TABLE 2—LIST OF BOUNDARY POINTS INCLUDED IN THE REQUEST FOR INTEREST tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Point number X (Easting) 1 ............................................................................................... 2 ............................................................................................... 3 ............................................................................................... 4 ............................................................................................... 5 ............................................................................................... 6 ............................................................................................... 7 ............................................................................................... 8 ............................................................................................... 9 ............................................................................................... 10 ............................................................................................. 11 ............................................................................................. 12 ............................................................................................. 13 ............................................................................................. 14 ............................................................................................. 15 ............................................................................................. 16 ............................................................................................. 17 ............................................................................................. 18 ............................................................................................. 19 ............................................................................................. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:06 Sep 27, 2013 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Frm 00060 360800 359600 359600 359600 359600 359600 359600 359600 360800 360800 360800 362000 363200 364400 364400 364400 364400 364400 364400 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Y (Northing) 4804800 4804800 4806000 4807200 4808400 4809600 4810800 4812000 4812000 4813200 4814400 4814400 4814400 4814400 4813200 4813200 4810800 4809600 4808400 Latitude 43.383163617505 43.3829400824461 43.3937405007104 43.4045408967447 43.4153412705474 43.4261416221169 43.4369419514513 43.4477422585492 43.4479662972019 43.4587666660974 43.4695670127825 43.4697892973427 43.4700096596489 43.4702280996417 43.4594275050812 43.4486268883978 43.437826249593 43.4270255886685 43.4162249056256 E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM 30SEN1 Longitude ¥124.71850250843 ¥124.733310553746 ¥124.733618431238 ¥124.733926479511 ¥124.734234698679 ¥124.734543088854 ¥124.73485165015 ¥124.735160382679 ¥124.720336552948 ¥124.720642820982 ¥124.720949259014 ¥124.706119986029 ¥124.691290544395 ¥124.676460935576 ¥124.676162410122 ¥124.675864050282 ¥124.675565855946 ¥124.675267827005 ¥124.67496996335 59971 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 189 / Monday, September 30, 2013 / Notices TABLE 2—LIST OF BOUNDARY POINTS INCLUDED IN THE REQUEST FOR INTEREST—Continued Point number 20 21 22 23 24 25 X (Easting) ............................................................................................. ............................................................................................. ............................................................................................. ............................................................................................. ............................................................................................. ............................................................................................. Map of the Area A map of the area proposed by Principle Power and included in this RFI can be found at the following URL: https://www.boem.gov/State-ActivitiesOregon/. 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, 770 Paseo Camarillo, Second Floor, Camarillo, California 93010. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Department of Defense Activities and 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, and will develop appropriate stipulations to mitigate the effects of renewable energy activities on any DOD activities in the proposed lease area. Required Indication of Interest Information If you intend to submit an indication of interest in a lease for the area identified in this notice, you must provide the following: (1) A statement that you wish to acquire a commercial wind lease within the proposed lease area. For BOEM to consider your indication of interest, it must include a proposal for a wind power project within the proposed lease area. 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 commercial operations; (4) Available and pertinent data and information concerning renewable energy resources and environmental VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:06 Sep 27, 2013 Jkt 229001 363200 363200 363200 363200 362000 360800 Y (Northing) 4808400 4807200 4806000 4804800 4804800 4804800 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 in a format compatible with ArcGIS 9.3 in a geographic coordinate system (NAD 83); (5) Documentation demonstrating that you are legally qualified to hold a lease as set forth in 30 CFR 585.106 and part 107. Examples of the documentation appropriate for demonstrating your legal qualifications and related guidance can be found in Chapter 2 and Appendix B of the Guidelines for the Renewable Energy Framework Guide Book available at: https://www.boem.gov/RenewableEnergy-Program/RegulatoryInformation/Index.aspx. 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 (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/RegulatoryInformation/Index.aspx. If you wish that any part of your technical and financial 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). Your complete submission, including the items identified in (1) through (6) above, must be provided to BOEM in both paper and electronic formats. BOEM considers an Adobe PDF file stored on a CD to be an acceptable format for submitting an electronic copy. PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Latitude 43.4160068748692 43.4052062514705 43.394405605928 43.3836049382433 43.3833852361241 43.383163617505 Longitude ¥124.689786398592 ¥124.689486069775 ¥124.689185907484 ¥124.688885911607 ¥124.703694293898 ¥124.71850250843 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 the information that BOEM found to be missing from your original submission. If you do not meet this deadline, or if BOEM determines your second submission is also insufficient, BOEM may deem your submission invalid. In such a case, BOEM would not consider your submission. Requested Information From Interested or Affected Parties BOEM is also requesting from the public and other interested or affected parties specific and detailed comments regarding the following: (1) Geological and geophysical conditions (including seabed conditions and shallow hazards) in the area described in this notice; (2) Historic properties and archaeological resources potentially affected by the construction and installation of meteorological buoys or commercial wind development in the area identified in this notice; (3) Other uses of the area described in this notice, including but not limited to navigation (commercial and recreational vessel usage), commercial and recreational fishing, recreational activities (e.g., wildlife viewing, and scenic areas), aviation, other energy related development activities, scientific research, and utilities and communications infrastructure (e.g., undersea cables); (4) Other relevant environmental information, including but not limited to: protected species and habitats, marine mammals, sea turtles, birds, fish, and cultural resources; (5) Socioeconomic information, such as demographics and employment, or E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM 30SEN1 59972 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 189 / Monday, September 30, 2013 / Notices information relevant to environmental justice considerations. INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION Protection of Privileged or Confidential Information [Investigation Nos. 701–TA–474 & 731–TA– 1176 (Final) (Remand)] Freedom of Information Act Drill Pipe and Drill Collars from China BOEM will protect privileged or confidential information that you submit as required by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Exemption 4 of FOIA applies to trade secrets and commercial or financial information that you submit that is privileged or confidential. If you wish to protect the confidentiality of such information, clearly mark it and request that BOEM treat it as confidential. BOEM will not disclose such information, subject to the requirements of FOIA. Please label privileged or confidential information, ‘‘Contains Confidential Information,’’ and consider submitting such information as a separate attachment. However, BOEM will not treat as confidential any aggregate summaries of such information or comments not containing such information. Additionally, BOEM will not treat as confidential: (1) The legal title of the nominating entity (for example, the name of your company) or (2) the geographic location of nominated facilities. Information that is not labeled as privileged or confidential will be regarded by BOEM as suitable for public release. AGENCY: Section 304 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470w–3(a)) BOEM is required, after consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, to withhold the location, character, or ownership of historic resources if it determines that disclosure may, among other things, cause a significant invasion of privacy, risk harm to the historic resources, or impede the use of a traditional religious site by practitioners. Tribal entities and other interested parties should designate such information that they wish to be held as confidential. Dated: September 19, 2013. Tommy P. Beaudreau, Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES [FR Doc. 2013–23699 Filed 9–27–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:06 Sep 27, 2013 Jkt 229001 United States International Trade Commission. ACTION: Notice of remand proceedings. The U.S. International Trade Commission (‘‘Commission’’) hereby gives notice of the court-ordered remand of its affirmative threat determination in the final phase investigation of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on drill pipe and drill collars from China. For further information concerning the conduct of this proceeding and rules of general application, consult the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, part 201, subparts A through E (19 CFR part 201), and part 207, subpart A (19 CFR part 207). DATES: Effective Date: September 24, 2013 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nate Comly, Office of Investigations, telephone 202–205–3147, or David Goldfine, Office of General Counsel, telephone 202–205–3174, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. Hearing-impaired persons can obtain information on this matter by contacting the Commission’s TDD terminal on 202– 205–1810. Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202–205–2000. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its internet server (https:// www.usitc.gov). The public record of investigation Nos. 731–TA–340 E & H may be viewed on the Commission’s electronic docket (‘‘EDIS’’) at https:// edis.usitc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background. On August 19, 2013, the U.S. Court of International Trade (per Judge Stanceu) issued an opinion remanding certain aspects of the Commission’s affirmative threat determination in Drill Pipe and Drill Collars from China, 701–TA–474 & 731– TA–1176 (Final), USITC Pub. 4213 (Feb. 2011). In the Commission’s final determination, three Commissioners reached an affirmative threat determination (Commissioners Williamson, Pinkert, and Lane) while three Commissioners reached a negative determination (Chairman Okun, and Commissioners Pearson and Aranoff). SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 In its opinion, the Court concluded that the Commission made two erroneous findings. Id. at 11–19. In the Court’s view, ‘‘. . . the impermissible findings were that only smaller domestic purchasers, as opposed to purchasers the ITC considered ‘large,’ were buying subject merchandise at the start of the POI and that, during the POI, the participation of Chinese suppliers in the U.S. market broke through a prior limitation to smaller customers.’’ Id. at 16. The Court concluded that ‘‘ ‘from these erroneous findings, the ITC reached the unsupported conclusion that ‘the participation of suppliers of Chinese product in the U.S. market has evolved and grown over the period in ways that indicate further expansion is imminent,’ and the related conclusion that ‘the fact that suppliers of Chinese product have broken through a major prior limitation on their reach in the U.S. market is an indication that their U.S. market share is poised to increase.’ ’’ Id. at 16 (internal citations omitted). On remand, the Court instructed the Commission to reconsider its affirmative threat determination ‘‘on the whole, in the absence of these findings and conclusions.’’ Id. at 17. The Court also remanded two issues to the Commission for further explanation. First, the Court directed the Commission ‘‘to explain why, and to what extent, it based its overall determination related to likely future import volume on its stated findings that the U.S. market share of subject merchandise was ‘substantial’ throughout the POI and ‘grew’ in firsthalf 2010.’’ Id. at 20. Second, the Court instructed the Commission to provide further explanation in support of its finding that ‘‘U.S. importers have increased their quantities of inventories of Chinese product to levels are particularly significant in the context of current market conditions.’’ Id. at 21. Under the remand schedule ordered by the Court, the Commission must file its remand determination by November 18, 2013. Participation in the proceeding. Only those persons who were interested parties to the reviews (i.e., persons listed on the Commission Secretary’s service list) and parties to the appeal may participate in the remand proceeding. Such persons need not make any additional filings with the Commission to participate in the remand proceeding. Business proprietary information (‘‘BPI’’) referred to during the remand proceeding will be governed, as appropriate, by the administrative protective order issued in the reviews. E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM 30SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 189 (Monday, September 30, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59968-59972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23699]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Docket No. BOEM-2013-0050; MMAA104000]


Potential Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer 
Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore Oregon, 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.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this public notice is to: (1) Describe the 
proposal submitted to BOEM by Principle Power, Inc. (Principle Power) 
to acquire an OCS commercial wind lease; (2) solicit submissions of 
indications of interest in obtaining a commercial lease for wind energy 
development on the OCS offshore Oregon in the area described in this 
notice; and (3) solicit initial public input regarding the area 
described in this notice, the potential environmental consequences of 
wind energy development in the area, and the multiple uses of the area.
    On May 15, 2013, BOEM received an unsolicited request from 
Principle Power for a commercial wind lease on the OCS offshore Oregon. 
Principle

[[Page 59969]]

Power's proposed project, the ``WindFloat Pacific Project,'' would 
consist of a floating wind energy demonstration facility offshore Coos 
Bay, Oregon. The project is designed to generate 30 megawatts (MW) of 
electricity from five floating ``WindFloat'' units, each equipped with 
a 6-MW offshore wind turbine, connected by inter-unit electrical 
cabling, with a single transmission cable exporting electricity to the 
mainland that would extend across both Federal and state lands. The 
project would be located approximately 16 nautical miles (nmi) west of 
Coos Bay, Oregon in water depths of approximately 1,400 feet. 
Additional information on Principle Power's unsolicited lease request 
can be viewed at https://www.boem.gov/State-Activities-Oregon/.
    This RFI is published pursuant to subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS 
Lands Act, as amended by section 388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
(EPAct) (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3)), and the implementing regulations at 30 
CFR 585.231(b). 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 
(Secretary) determines after public notice of a proposed lease, 
easement, or right-of-way that there is no competitive interest.'' This 
RFI provides such public notice for the proposed lease area requested 
by Principle Power and invites the submission of indications of 
interest. BOEM is soliciting submissions of interest in commercial wind 
energy development with this notice. BOEM will consider the responses 
to this public notice to determine whether competitive interest exists 
for the area requested by Principle Power, as required by 43 U.S.C. 
1337(p)(3). Parties wishing to obtain a commercial lease for wind 
energy development for the area described below under ``Description of 
the Proposed Lease Area'' should submit detailed and specific 
information as described in the section entitled, ``Required Indication 
of Interest Information.''
    This announcement also requests that interested and affected 
parties comment and provide information about site conditions and 
multiple uses within the area identified in this notice that would be 
relevant to the proposed project or its impacts. This is the first step 
in the OCS renewable energy leasing process. There will be additional 
opportunities to provide comment pursuant to 30 CFR part 585 and 
applicable laws, such as the opportunity to comment on the 
environmental analysis that BOEM will prepare under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), before any lease is issued. A detailed 
description of the proposed lease area can be found in the section of 
this notice entitled, ``Description of the Area.''

DATES: If you are submitting an indication of interest in acquiring a 
lease for the proposed lease area, your submission must be sent by 
mail, postmarked no later than October 30, 2013 for your submission to 
be considered. If you are providing comments or other submissions of 
information, you may send them by mail, postmarked by this same date, 
or you may submit them through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov, also by this same date.
    Submission Procedures: If you are submitting an indication of 
interest in a lease, please submit it by mail to the following address: 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific Region Office of Strategic 
Resources, 770 Paseo Camarillo, Second Floor, Camarillo, California 
93010. Submissions must be postmarked by October 30, 2013 to be 
considered by BOEM for the purposes of determining competitive 
interest. In addition to a paper copy of your submission, include an 
electronic copy; BOEM considers an Adobe PDF file stored on a compact 
disk (CD) to be an acceptable format for submitting an electronic copy. 
BOEM will list the parties that submit indications of interest 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-2013-0050 and then 
click ``search.'' Follow the instructions to submit public comments and 
view supporting and related materials available for this notice.
    2. Alternatively, comments may be submitted by mail to the 
following address: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific Region 
Office of Strategic Resources, 770 Paseo Camarillo, Second Floor, 
Camarillo, California 93010.
    If you wish to protect the confidentiality of your submissions or 
comments, clearly mark the relevant sections and request that BOEM 
treat them as confidential. Please label privileged or confidential 
information ``Contains Confidential Information'' and consider 
submitting such information as a separate attachment. Treatment of 
confidential information is addressed in the section of this notice 
entitled, ``Privileged or Confidential Information.'' BOEM will post 
all comments on www.regulations.gov, unless labeled as confidential. 
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 
Program Specialist, BOEM, Pacific Region Office of Strategic Resources, 
770 Paseo Camarillo, Second Floor, Camarillo, California 93010, Phone: 
(805) 384-4704.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose of this RFI

    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 
interested stakeholders to comment on the proposed lease area, the 
proposed project, and any potential impacts wind energy development may 
have in the area. BOEM may use comments received to further identify 
and refine the area requested and inform future environmental analyses 
related to the project. This is the first opportunity for public input; 
additional opportunities will be provided pursuant to 30 CFR part 585 
and applicable laws and BOEM practices.
    If, in response to this notice, BOEM receives one or more 
indications of interest in offshore wind energy development 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 Part 585. If BOEM receives no 
competing indications of interest from qualified companies, BOEM may 
decide to move forward with the lease issuance process using the non-
competitive procedures contained in 30 CFR part 585.

Background

National Offshore Wind Strategy

    In 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of the 
Interior Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy released the 
National Offshore Wind Strategy, which identified challenges facing 
development of offshore wind energy and outlined actions to support the 
goals of developing an offshore wind industry in the United States. 
DOE's

[[Page 59970]]

Wind and Water Power Program released a formal Offshore Wind Innovation 
and Demonstration Initiative, consistent with the National Offshore 
Wind Strategy goals, to promote and accelerate responsible commercial 
offshore wind development in the United States. To address the 
objectives of the Strategy, funding was planned for Advanced Technology 
Demonstration Projects that verify innovative designs and technology 
developments and validate full performance and cost under real 
operating and market conditions. On December 12, 2012, the DOE 
announced award funding for seven proposed offshore wind demonstration 
projects under the ``Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity 
Announcement (DOE-FOA-0000410) U.S. Offshore Wind: Advanced Technology 
Demonstration Projects.'' The awards went to projects that demonstrated 
the ability to progress toward achieving the national goals of the 
National Offshore Wind Strategy. Principle Power submitted an 
application in response to the DOE-FOA-0000410 and was selected as one 
of the seven award recipients. From the seven original projects 
selected for an award, DOE will choose three projects for continued 
funding in the spring of 2014. Principle Power has submitted a lease 
request to BOEM in an effort to move forward in the DOE funding 
process.

Determination of Competitive Interest and Leasing Process

    After the publication of this announcement, BOEM will evaluate 
indications of interest in acquiring a commercial 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 BOEM determines that there is no competitive interest in the 
proposed lease area, it will publish a notice stating that there is no 
competitive interest in the Federal Register. At that point, BOEM may 
decide to proceed with the noncompetitive lease issuance process 
pursuant to 30 CFR 585.231, and Principle Power would need to submit 
any required plan(s). If BOEM determines that there is competitive 
interest, it may move forward with the leasing process outlined in 30 
CFR 585.211.
    Whether following competitive or non-competitive procedures, BOEM 
would consult with the BOEM Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable Energy 
Task Force and comply with all applicable requirements before making a 
decision on whether or not to issue a lease and approve, disapprove, or 
approve with modifications any associated plan(s). BOEM would 
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 coast of Oregon, 
approximately 16 nmi west of, Coos Bay, Oregon. From its most 
northeastern point the area extends approximately 5.18 nmi south and 
2.59 nmi west. The project area consists of four partial OCS blocks. 
The entire area is approximately 15.01159 square miles (9,607.419 acres 
or 3,888 hectares).

                        Table 1--List of OCS Blocks Included in the Request for Interest
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Block
          Protraction name             Protraction number      number                   Sub block
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coos Bay...........................  NK 10-01..............       6573  L,P
Coos Bay...........................  NK 10-01..............       6574  A,B,C,E,F,G,I,J,K,M,N,O
Coos Bay...........................  NK 10-01..............       6623  D,H,L,P
Coos Bay...........................  NK 10-01..............       6624  A,B,C,E,F,I,J,M,N
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The boundary of the proposed lease area follows the points listed 
in Table 2 in clockwise order. Point numbers 1 and 25 are the same. 
Coordinates are provided in X, Y (eastings, northings) UTM Zone 18N, 
NAD 83 and geographic (latitude, longitude) NAD83.

                      Table 2--List of Boundary Points Included in the Request for Interest
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point number                X (Easting)    Y (Northing)         Latitude              Longitude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...................................          360800         4804800       43.383163617505      -124.71850250843
2...................................          359600         4804800      43.3829400824461     -124.733310553746
3...................................          359600         4806000      43.3937405007104     -124.733618431238
4...................................          359600         4807200      43.4045408967447     -124.733926479511
5...................................          359600         4808400      43.4153412705474     -124.734234698679
6...................................          359600         4809600      43.4261416221169     -124.734543088854
7...................................          359600         4810800      43.4369419514513      -124.73485165015
8...................................          359600         4812000      43.4477422585492     -124.735160382679
9...................................          360800         4812000      43.4479662972019     -124.720336552948
10..................................          360800         4813200      43.4587666660974     -124.720642820982
11..................................          360800         4814400      43.4695670127825     -124.720949259014
12..................................          362000         4814400      43.4697892973427     -124.706119986029
13..................................          363200         4814400      43.4700096596489     -124.691290544395
14..................................          364400         4814400      43.4702280996417     -124.676460935576
15..................................          364400         4813200      43.4594275050812     -124.676162410122
16..................................          364400         4813200      43.4486268883978     -124.675864050282
17..................................          364400         4810800       43.437826249593     -124.675565855946
18..................................          364400         4809600      43.4270255886685     -124.675267827005
19..................................          364400         4808400      43.4162249056256      -124.67496996335

[[Page 59971]]

 
20..................................          363200         4808400      43.4160068748692     -124.689786398592
21..................................          363200         4807200      43.4052062514705     -124.689486069775
22..................................          363200         4806000       43.394405605928     -124.689185907484
23..................................          363200         4804800      43.3836049382433     -124.688885911607
24..................................          362000         4804800      43.3833852361241     -124.703694293898
25..................................          360800         4804800       43.383163617505      -124.71850250843
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Map of the Area

    A map of the area proposed by Principle Power and included in this 
RFI can be found at the following URL: https://www.boem.gov/State-Activities-Oregon/. 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, 770 Paseo Camarillo, 
Second Floor, Camarillo, California 93010.

Department of Defense Activities and 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, and will develop 
appropriate stipulations to mitigate the effects of renewable energy 
activities on any DOD activities in the proposed lease area.

Required Indication of Interest Information

    If you intend to submit an indication of interest in a lease for 
the area identified in this notice, you must provide the following:
    (1) A statement that you wish to acquire a commercial wind lease 
within the proposed lease area. For BOEM to consider your indication of 
interest, it must include a proposal for a wind power project within 
the proposed lease area. 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 commercial operations;
    (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 in a format compatible with 
ArcGIS 9.3 in a geographic coordinate system (NAD 83);
    (5) Documentation demonstrating that you are legally qualified to 
hold a lease as set forth in 30 CFR 585.106 and part 107. Examples of 
the documentation appropriate for demonstrating your legal 
qualifications and related guidance can be found in Chapter 2 and 
Appendix B of the Guidelines for the Renewable Energy Framework Guide 
Book available at: https://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/Regulatory-Information/Index.aspx. 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 (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/Index.aspx. If you wish that any part of your technical and financial 
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).
    Your complete submission, including the items identified in (1) 
through (6) above, must be provided to BOEM in both paper and 
electronic formats. BOEM considers an Adobe PDF file stored on a CD to 
be an acceptable format for submitting an electronic copy.
    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 the information that BOEM found to be missing 
from your original submission. If you do not meet this deadline, or if 
BOEM determines your second submission is also insufficient, BOEM may 
deem your submission invalid. In such a case, BOEM would not consider 
your submission.

Requested Information From Interested or Affected Parties

    BOEM is also requesting from the public and other interested or 
affected parties specific and detailed comments regarding the 
following:
    (1) Geological and geophysical conditions (including seabed 
conditions and shallow hazards) in the area described in this notice;
    (2) Historic properties and archaeological resources potentially 
affected by the construction and installation of meteorological buoys 
or commercial wind development in the area identified in this notice;
    (3) Other uses of the area described in this notice, including but 
not limited to navigation (commercial and recreational vessel usage), 
commercial and recreational fishing, recreational activities (e.g., 
wildlife viewing, and scenic areas), aviation, other energy related 
development activities, scientific research, and utilities and 
communications infrastructure (e.g., undersea cables);
    (4) Other relevant environmental information, including but not 
limited to: protected species and habitats, marine mammals, sea 
turtles, birds, fish, and cultural resources;
    (5) Socioeconomic information, such as demographics and employment, 
or

[[Page 59972]]

information relevant to environmental justice considerations.

Protection of Privileged or Confidential Information

Freedom of Information Act

    BOEM will protect privileged or confidential information that you 
submit as required by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Exemption 
4 of FOIA applies to trade secrets and commercial or financial 
information that you submit that is privileged or confidential. If you 
wish to protect the confidentiality of such information, clearly mark 
it and request that BOEM treat it as confidential. BOEM will not 
disclose such information, subject to the requirements of FOIA. Please 
label privileged or confidential information, ``Contains Confidential 
Information,'' and consider submitting such information as a separate 
attachment.
    However, BOEM will not treat as confidential any aggregate 
summaries of such information or comments not containing such 
information. Additionally, BOEM will not treat as confidential: (1) The 
legal title of the nominating entity (for example, the name of your 
company) or (2) the geographic location of nominated facilities. 
Information that is not labeled as privileged or confidential will be 
regarded by BOEM as suitable for public release.

Section 304 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470w-
3(a))

    BOEM is required, after consultation with the Secretary of the 
Interior, to withhold the location, character, or ownership of historic 
resources if it determines that disclosure may, among other things, 
cause a significant invasion of privacy, risk harm to the historic 
resources, or impede the use of a traditional religious site by 
practitioners. Tribal entities and other interested parties should 
designate such information that they wish to be held as confidential.

    Dated: September 19, 2013.
Tommy P. Beaudreau,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2013-23699 Filed 9-27-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
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