Request for Feedback on BOEM's Proposed Path Forward for Future Offshore Renewable Energy Leasing on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf, 14881-14884 [2018-07106]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
14881
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 67 / Friday, April 6, 2018 / Notices
Completion
time per
response
(hours)
Annual
number of
responses
Regulation/activity
Government .................................................................................................................................
Total annual
burden hours *
800
0.25
200
600
0.5
300
20
8
160
20
1
20
2
0.25
1
12
36
36
21.51—Agricultural Depredation Order (Recordkeeping)
Private Sector ..............................................................................................................................
21.51—Agricultural Depredation Order (Annual Report)
Government .................................................................................................................................
21.52—Public Health Control Order
Government .................................................................................................................................
21.49, 21.50, 21.51, & 21.52—Report Take of Endangered Species
Private Sector ..............................................................................................................................
21.61—Population Control Approval Request (Annual Report and Recordkeeping)
Annual Report—Gov’t ..................................................................................................................
Recordkeeping—Gov’t .................................................................................................................
3
12
21.61—Population Control Approval Request (Population and Distribution Estimates)
Government .................................................................................................................................
3
160
480
Totals ....................................................................................................................................
8,698
........................
3,360
* Rounded
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor and a person is not required to
respond to a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number.
The authority for this action is the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Dated: April 3, 2018.
Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–07046 Filed 4–5–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333—15—P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM–2018–0018]
Request for Feedback on BOEM’s
Proposed Path Forward for Future
Offshore Renewable Energy Leasing
on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf
Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Interior.
ACTION: Request for feedback.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY:
The Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management (BOEM) invites the public
to contribute to the development of a
path forward for future renewable
leasing offshore the United States
Atlantic Coast. Thus far, BOEM has
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
22:21 Apr 05, 2018
Jkt 244001
issued 13 commercial leases on the
Atlantic from North Carolina to
Massachusetts. BOEM is now
conducting a high-level assessment of
all waters offshore the United States
Atlantic Coast for potential additional
lease locations. BOEM proposes to rely
on various factors described below to
help it assess which geographic areas
along the Atlantic are the most likely to
have highest potential for successful
offshore wind development in the next
three to five years. BOEM is seeking
input on all aspects of its proposed path
forward, but particularly on the merits
of these factors and any other factors
BOEM should consider. This Atlantic
assessment is intended to inform future
area identification processes, not
replace them. Accordingly, after
reviewing the comments it receives
pursuant to this notice, BOEM plans to
coordinate with its intergovernmental
renewable energy task forces, and
conduct further stakeholder outreach as
a part of its continuing area
identification efforts.
DATES: Stakeholders should submit
comments electronically or postmarked
no later than May 21, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be
submitted in one of the two following
ways:
1. Electronically: https://
www.regulations.gov. In the entry
entitled, ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID,’’ search
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
for BOEM–2018–0018. Follow the
instructions to submit public comments
in response to this document.
2. Written Comments: In written form,
delivered by hand or by mail, enclosed
in an envelope labeled, ‘‘Comments on
Request for Feedback’’ to: Office of
Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management, 45600
Woodland Road, VAM–OREP, Sterling,
Virginia 20166.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeffrey Browning, BOEM Office of
Renewable Energy Programs, 45600
Woodland Road, VAM–OREP, Sterling,
Virginia 20166, (703) 787–1577 or
Jeffrey.Browning@boem.gov; Wright
Frank, BOEM Office of Renewable
Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland
Road, VAM–OREP, Sterling, Virginia
20166, (703) 787–1325 or
Wright.Frank@boem.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: This notice is published
pursuant to subsection 8(p) of the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA)
(43 U.S.C. 1337(p)), added by section
388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005,
and the implementing regulations at 30
CFR 585.116.
Overview: In this notice, BOEM has
initially identified the following factors
to be considered in the analysis
contemplated in this notice:
E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM
06APN1
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
14882
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 67 / Friday, April 6, 2018 / Notices
• Areas prohibited by the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA)
for leasing
• Department of Defense (DoD) conflict
areas
• Maritime navigation conflict areas
• Areas not previously removed from
BOEM leasing consideration
• Areas greater than 10 nautical miles
from shore
• Areas shallower than 60 meters in
depth
• Areas adjacent to states with offshore
wind economic incentives
• Areas adjacent to states that have an
interest in identifying additional lease
areas
• Areas for which industry has
expressed interest
BOEM is aware of many other factors
that affect the appropriateness of
offshore development, including
commercial and recreational fisheries
concerns, endangered species critical
habitat, recreation and tourism, and
other environmental and multiple use
concerns. However, unlike the factors
identified above, evaluation of these
factors requires a detailed, site-specific
analysis that would not be practicable
on a landscape scale for the entire
Atlantic Coast. Accordingly, these
factors will be thoroughly evaluated on
a case-by-case basis during future Calls
for Information and Nominations and
Area Identification stages of BOEM’s
leasing process. This Atlantic
assessment, and the development of
‘‘forecast areas’’ as discussed below,
will help identify areas where BOEM
may focus its leasing efforts over the
next three to five years as it collects
more detailed, site-specific information
to ensure responsible leasing and
development of OCS renewable energy
resources.
Background and Purpose: BOEM has
now completed seven offshore wind
lease sales for wind energy areas in the
Atlantic Ocean offshore Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey,
Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.
Each of these sales were the result of
processes that BOEM undertook over a
period of years to identify and reduce
potential conflicts between offshore
wind leases and incompatible ocean
uses. BOEM has issued thirteen
commercial leases (competitively or
noncompetitively) in every state with
territorial waters bordering the OCS
from Massachusetts to North Carolina.
BOEM has received feedback from
state and industry stakeholders
requesting that BOEM propose
additional lease areas. This feedback has
been reinforced by increased
competition in BOEM’s most recent
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:21 Apr 05, 2018
Jkt 244001
lease sales in New York and North
Carolina, as well as a recent increase in
the number of unsolicited lease
applications submitted to BOEM. In
addition, stakeholders have requested
that BOEM evaluate the next phase of
offshore wind leasing using a regional
approach.
BOEM’s intent in publishing this
Notice is to start a conversation
surrounding its approach to future
renewable energy leasing on the
Atlantic OCS. BOEM believes that
additional areas of the Atlantic may be
viable for responsible and informed
commercial wind development. BOEM
seeks input from stakeholders regarding
areas where development may or may
not be appropriate, and what factors
BOEM should consider in the early
stages of its future planning processes.
This planning exercise is not a
replacement for BOEM’s existing area
identification processes to determine
Wind Energy Areas and issue leases
through site-specific analysis and
stakeholder outreach. BOEM will
continue to pursue an area
identification process in the future that
is more narrowly focused on specifically
bounded offshore areas, utilizing
extensive analysis of site-specific
conditions (e.g., fisheries, navigation,
seafloor conditions, etc.). Please refer to
the following web page (https://
www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy/PathForward/) for details on other
opportunities to comment on this
Request for Feedback (RFF).
Proposed Factors for Identification of
Offshore Wind Forecast Areas: BOEM
has preliminarily identified factors that,
in BOEM’s experience, are likely to help
it assess whether a given area is
appropriate for offshore wind energy
development. Applying these factors to
the Atlantic OCS, BOEM plans to
identify ‘‘forecast areas’’ along the
Atlantic Coast that have the highest
probability for offshore wind
development. The forecast areas would
be those geographic locations on the
Atlantic OCS that have multiple positive
factors (i.e., factors that may facilitate
offshore wind development), thereby
indicating a strong likelihood that
offshore wind leasing may be feasible in
that area. Maps illustrating the
application of each of the factors
geographically are available at: https://
www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy/PathForward/.
Exclusionary Factors
The following factors would be
considered exclusionary. At this time,
BOEM would consider them as creating
‘‘no-go’’ areas for offshore wind.
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
OCSLA prohibited areas: Pursuant to
the OCSLA, BOEM is prohibited from
leasing within the exterior boundaries of
a unit of the National Park System,
National Wildlife Refuge System,
National Marine Sanctuary System, or
any National Monument.
DoD conflict areas: At this time,
BOEM would not consider leasing areas
in the Atlantic designated as ‘‘red’’ by
the DoD in its color-coded assessments.
DoD has designated these areas as
incompatible with wind energy
development because of potential
conflicts with mission critical
operations, training, or testing activities.
Maritime navigation conflict areas: At
this time, BOEM would not consider
leasing areas within official (i.e.,
charted) marine vessel traffic routing
measures. Later in the Area
Identification process, BOEM would
conduct a case-specific analysis of
maritime vessel traffic information (e.g.,
automatic identification system data)
and might further refine and delineate
areas of high traffic use outside of
official traffic separation schemes and
other routing measures.
Positive Factors
The factors discussed in this section
would help BOEM identify the locations
that would be considered more
favorable for wind energy development.
The greater the number of positive
factors a location exhibits, the greater
the likelihood that location would fall
within a forecast area.
Areas not previously removed: Some
areas of the OCS were removed from
consideration for leasing in BOEM’s
past Area Identification processes for a
variety of different reasons. In most
cases, they were removed for reasons
that remain applicable today, such as
certain high value fishing areas off the
coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode
Island, essential fish habitat offshore
New York, and vessel traffic offshore
Maryland and New Jersey. Other areas
of the OCS have not been removed from
leasing consideration, primarily because
they have not been previously
evaluated, and may have potential for
future wind energy development. The
areas that have not been removed from
leasing consideration previously are the
focus of this factor. However, BOEM
asks that stakeholders review the
removed areas and comment if they
believe BOEM should reconsider their
prior removal.
Areas greater than 10 nautical miles
(nm) from shore: BOEM recognizes that
an offshore wind energy facility may
present viewshed concerns for coastal
stakeholders. In BOEM’s previous area
identification efforts, it has imposed
E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM
06APN1
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 67 / Friday, April 6, 2018 / Notices
various buffer distances from shore to
address concerns about potential visual
impacts of wind development. The
buffers are typically greater than or
equal to 10 nm from shore. BOEM
requests feedback on whether the 10 nm
distance is a reasonable positive factor
for this planning exercise.
Areas shallower than 60 meters (m) in
depth: Although fixed-bottom
substructures currently dominate the
global offshore wind market, these
structures may not be economically
feasible in water depths exceeding 60 m.
Therefore, BOEM has chosen 60 m
depth as a factor in identifying forecast
areas. However, BOEM recognizes the
recent development of floating wind
turbine technologies that may be
deployed in deeper waters. BOEM is
specifically requesting comments from
stakeholders regarding 60 m depth as a
positive factor for the appropriateness of
an area for wind energy development, as
well as the existence of specific areas or
OCS blocks deeper than 60 m that may
be appropriate for offshore renewable
energy development.
Areas adjacent to states with offshore
wind economic incentives: BOEM
recognizes that offshore wind
development incentives offered by
coastal states, such as offshore
renewable energy credits or other
offtake mechanisms, influence the
demand for such development. BOEM
has identified the States of Maryland,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York,
and New Jersey as examples of states
that have either a legislative or policy
mandate incentivizing additional
offshore wind development. Power
generation at locations within 60 nm of
the coasts of these states may feed into
their electric grids, and the state
incentives therefore may facilitate
offshore wind development.
Areas adjacent to states that have an
interest in identifying additional lease
areas: State interest in offshore
renewable energy leasing has been an
important element in BOEM’s past
identification of Wind Energy Areas.
State interest is often expressed through
active state engagement with
stakeholders through BOEM
intergovernmental task forces and other
venues. Proactive efforts by coastal
states to facilitate stakeholder
engagement and discussion of key
issues help inform BOEM’s
identification of Wind Energy Areas.
BOEM has identified Massachusetts
(only the remaining Massachusetts wind
energy areas), New York, and South
Carolina as states that have an
established intergovernmental task force
and are also facilitating stakeholder
engagement in support of future
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:21 Apr 05, 2018
Jkt 244001
offshore wind leasing. BOEM invites
Atlantic Coast states to respond to this
RFF by specifying their level of interest
in future offshore wind leasing within
OCS areas adjacent to their coastline.
Areas for which industry has
expressed interest: This factor includes
areas where offshore wind developers
have expressed interest in leasing a
specific location. BOEM received these
expressions of interest either in
response to a Call for Information and
Nominations or via an unsolicited lease
request. With respect to this factor,
BOEM has received two unsolicited
lease requests for two wind energy areas
offshore Massachusetts (the same areas
that did not receive bids in Lease Sale
ATLW–4 on January 29, 2015); an
unsolicited application for further
development offshore New York; and
expressions of commercial interest in
areas that BOEM has identified offshore
North and South Carolina (the
Wilmington East and West Wind Energy
Areas and the Grand Strand Call Area).
As part of this RFF, BOEM requests that
developers identify areas along the
Atlantic Coast that may be of interest for
future offshore wind leasing. This
request is not a formal Request for
Interest, but rather to inform BOEM’s
planning efforts for future potential
offshore wind leasing.
Areas with resource and locational
potential (potential factor): BOEM
acknowledges that certain areas of the
OCS may have greater commercial
potential than others. As described in a
recent March 2017 publication (located
at https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy17osti/
67675.pdf), the National Renewable
Energy Laboratory (NREL) has
developed a model predicting the
economic potential for specific portions
of the OCS. BOEM has identified this as
a potential additional factor and has not
included it in the evaluation of forecast
areas at this time. We are requesting
comments on the utility of this study in
our planning efforts—and, in particular,
which parameter(s) of the NREL models
(energy potential, levelized cost of
electricity, etc.), if any, would be the
most useful in identifying forecast areas.
BOEM is aware of many other factors
that affect the appropriateness of
offshore development, including
commercial and recreational fisheries
concerns, endangered species critical
habitat, recreation and tourism, and
other environmental and multiple use
concerns. However, these factors are
typically site-specific and will be
thoroughly evaluated on a case-by-case
basis during any future Calls for
Information and Nominations and
subsequent Area Identification stages of
BOEM’s leasing process. BOEM will
PO 00000
Frm 00042
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
14883
consider the information received in
response to this RFF to finalize the
factors it will consider when assessing
the areas within which BOEM will focus
future planning and leasing efforts. A
map of all factors applied to the waters
offshore the Atlantic Coast is available
at: https://www.boem.gov/RenewableEnergy/Path-Forward/.
Separately, BOEM will continue to
consider unsolicited lease requests
pursuant to 30 CFR 585.230 for areas
both inside and outside of the forecast
areas.
Regional Ocean Plans and Data
Portals: BOEM encourages commenters
to consult the Northeast and MidAtlantic Ocean Data Portals, which are
key components of the Northeast and
Mid-Atlantic Ocean Plans developed by
the intergovernmental Regional
Planning Bodies (RPB). These data
portals are located at https://
www.northeastoceandata.org/dataexplorer/ and https://
portal.midatlanticocean.org/. BOEM
believes the use of the Data Portals will
lead to a better shared understanding of
who or what might be affected by a
given proposed activity. In addition to
the maps characterizing existing energy
and infrastructure activities, the Data
Portals contain a range of maps of
marine life, habitat areas, cultural
resources, transportation, fishing, and
other human uses to be considered
when new energy or other infrastructure
developments are proposed. The Data
Portals also help to identify important
user groups for further engagement by
BOEM during the leasing process, such
as commercial and recreational
fishermen, commercial transportation
providers, and the military, who are
most likely to interact with new offshore
energy developments.
Protection of Privileged or
Confidential Information: BOEM will
protect privileged or confidential
information that you submit, as
provided in the Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA). Exemption 4 of FOIA
applies to trade secrets and commercial
or financial information. 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, except as provided in
FOIA. Please label privileged or
confidential information ‘‘Contains
Confidential Information’’ and consider
submitting such information as a
separate attachment.
BOEM will not treat as confidential
any aggregate summaries of such
information or comments not containing
such information. Additionally, BOEM
may not treat as confidential the legal
E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM
06APN1
14884
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 67 / Friday, April 6, 2018 / Notices
title of the commenting entity (e.g., the
name of your company). Information
that is not labeled as privileged or
confidential may be regarded by BOEM
as suitable for public release.
Dated: April 3, 2018.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management.
[FR Doc. 2018–07106 Filed 4–4–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[MMAA104000; OMB Control Number 1010–
0072; Docket ID: BOEM–2017–0016]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Prospecting for Minerals
Other Than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur on
the Outer Continental Shelf and
Authorizations of Noncommercial
Geological and Geophysical Activities
Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Information
Collection; request for comment.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
(BOEM) is proposing to renew an
information collection with revisions.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before June 5,
2018.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments on
this information collection request (ICR)
by mail to the BOEM Information
Collection Clearance Officer, Anna
Atkinson, Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, 45600 Woodland Road,
Sterling, Virginia 20166; or by email to
anna.atkinson@boem.gov. Please
reference OMB Control Number 1010–
0072 in the subject line of your
comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
request additional information about
this ICR, contact Anna Atkinson by
email, or by telephone at 703–787–1025.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the
general public and other Federal
agencies with an opportunity to
comment on new, proposed, revised,
and continuing collections of
information. This helps us assess the
impact of our information collection
requirements and minimize the public’s
reporting burden. It also helps the
public understand our information
collection requirements and provide the
requested data in the desired format.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:21 Apr 05, 2018
Jkt 244001
We are soliciting comments on the
proposed ICR that is described below.
We are especially interested in public
comment addressing the following
issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to
the proper functions of BOEM? (2) Will
this information be processed and used
in a timely manner? (3) Is the estimate
of burden accurate? (4) How might
BOEM enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected? and (5) How might BOEM
minimize the burden of this collection
on the respondents, including
minimizing the burden through the use
of information technology?
Comments that you submit in
response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or
summarize each comment in our request
to OMB for approval of this ICR. Before
including your address, phone number,
email address, or other personal
identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comments
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Abstract: The information collection
request concerns the paperwork
requirements in the regulations under
30 CFR part 580, Prospecting for
Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and
Sulphur on the Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS), as well as authorizations of
noncommercial geological and
geophysical (G&G) prospecting and
scientific research activities issued
pursuant to Section 11 of the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act, as
amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq., and 43
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
The OCS Lands Act authorizes the
Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to
prescribe rules and regulations to
administer leasing of mineral resources
on the OCS. Section 1337(k)(1) of the
OCS Lands Act authorizes the Secretary
‘‘. . . to grant to the qualified persons
offering the highest cash bonuses on a
basis of competitive bidding leases of
any mineral other than oil, gas, and
sulphur in any area of the [O]uter
Continental Shelf not then under lease
for such mineral upon such royalty,
rental, and other terms and conditions
as the Secretary may prescribe at the
time of offering the area for lease.’’
Section 1340(a)(1) of the OCS Lands
Act states that ‘‘. . . any person
authorized by the Secretary may
conduct geological and geophysical
explorations in the [O]uter Continental
Shelf, which do not interfere with or
PO 00000
Frm 00043
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
endanger actual operations under any
lease maintained or granted pursuant to
this subchapter, and which are not
unduly harmful to aquatic life in such
area.’’ Under 30 CFR part 580, G&G
exploration to be performed by any
person on unleased lands or lands
under lease to a third party requires
issuance of a BOEM permit or
submission of a scientific research
notice. Section 1340(g) further requires
that permits for geologic exploration
will only be issued if it is determined
that the applicant for such permit is
qualified; the exploration will not
interfere with or endanger operations
under any lease; and the exploration
will not be unduly harmful to aquatic
life in the area, result in pollution,
create hazardous or unsafe conditions,
unreasonably interfere with other uses
of the area, or disturb any site, structure,
or object of historical or archaeological
significance.
Prospecting for marine minerals
includes certain aspects of exploration
as defined in the OCS Lands Act at 43
U.S.C. 1331(k). That section defines the
term ‘‘exploration’’ to mean the process
of searching for minerals, including
‘‘geophysical surveys where magnetic,
gravity, seismic, or other systems are
used to detect or characterize the
presence of such minerals. . . .’’
As a Federal agency, BOEM has a
responsibility to comply with the
National Environmental Policy Act (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), Endangered Species
Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and Marine
Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361
et seq.), among other environmental
laws. Compliance with the Endangered
Species Act includes a substantive duty
to carry out any agency action in a
manner that is not likely to jeopardize
protected species or result in adverse
modification of designated critical
habitat, as well as a procedural duty to
consult with the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service and National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration
Fisheries before engaging in a
discretionary action that may affect a
protected species.
Respondents are required to submit
form BOEM–0134 to provide the
information necessary to evaluate their
request to conduct G&G prospecting,
exploration or scientific research
activities, and upon approval,
respondents are issued a permit or
authorization. BOEM uses the
information to ensure there is no
adverse effect to the marine, coastal, or
human environment, personal harm,
unsafe operations and conditions, or
unreasonable interference with other
uses; to analyze and evaluate
preliminary or planned mining
E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM
06APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 67 (Friday, April 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14881-14884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07106]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM-2018-0018]
Request for Feedback on BOEM's Proposed Path Forward for Future
Offshore Renewable Energy Leasing on the Atlantic Outer Continental
Shelf
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.
ACTION: Request for feedback.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) invites the
public to contribute to the development of a path forward for future
renewable leasing offshore the United States Atlantic Coast. Thus far,
BOEM has issued 13 commercial leases on the Atlantic from North
Carolina to Massachusetts. BOEM is now conducting a high-level
assessment of all waters offshore the United States Atlantic Coast for
potential additional lease locations. BOEM proposes to rely on various
factors described below to help it assess which geographic areas along
the Atlantic are the most likely to have highest potential for
successful offshore wind development in the next three to five years.
BOEM is seeking input on all aspects of its proposed path forward, but
particularly on the merits of these factors and any other factors BOEM
should consider. This Atlantic assessment is intended to inform future
area identification processes, not replace them. Accordingly, after
reviewing the comments it receives pursuant to this notice, BOEM plans
to coordinate with its intergovernmental renewable energy task forces,
and conduct further stakeholder outreach as a part of its continuing
area identification efforts.
DATES: Stakeholders should submit comments electronically or postmarked
no later than May 21, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted in one of the two following
ways:
1. Electronically: https://www.regulations.gov. In the entry
entitled, ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' search for BOEM-2018-0018. Follow
the instructions to submit public comments in response to this
document.
2. Written Comments: In written form, delivered by hand or by mail,
enclosed in an envelope labeled, ``Comments on Request for Feedback''
to: Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, 45600 Woodland Road, VAM-OREP, Sterling, Virginia 20166.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Browning, BOEM Office of
Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, VAM-OREP, Sterling,
Virginia 20166, (703) 787-1577 or [email protected]; Wright
Frank, BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road,
VAM-OREP, Sterling, Virginia 20166, (703) 787-1325 or
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: This notice is published pursuant to subsection 8(p) of
the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)),
added by section 388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and the
implementing regulations at 30 CFR 585.116.
Overview: In this notice, BOEM has initially identified the
following factors to be considered in the analysis contemplated in this
notice:
[[Page 14882]]
Areas prohibited by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
(OCSLA) for leasing
Department of Defense (DoD) conflict areas
Maritime navigation conflict areas
Areas not previously removed from BOEM leasing consideration
Areas greater than 10 nautical miles from shore
Areas shallower than 60 meters in depth
Areas adjacent to states with offshore wind economic
incentives
Areas adjacent to states that have an interest in identifying
additional lease areas
Areas for which industry has expressed interest
BOEM is aware of many other factors that affect the appropriateness
of offshore development, including commercial and recreational
fisheries concerns, endangered species critical habitat, recreation and
tourism, and other environmental and multiple use concerns. However,
unlike the factors identified above, evaluation of these factors
requires a detailed, site-specific analysis that would not be
practicable on a landscape scale for the entire Atlantic Coast.
Accordingly, these factors will be thoroughly evaluated on a case-by-
case basis during future Calls for Information and Nominations and Area
Identification stages of BOEM's leasing process. This Atlantic
assessment, and the development of ``forecast areas'' as discussed
below, will help identify areas where BOEM may focus its leasing
efforts over the next three to five years as it collects more detailed,
site-specific information to ensure responsible leasing and development
of OCS renewable energy resources.
Background and Purpose: BOEM has now completed seven offshore wind
lease sales for wind energy areas in the Atlantic Ocean offshore
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia,
and North Carolina. Each of these sales were the result of processes
that BOEM undertook over a period of years to identify and reduce
potential conflicts between offshore wind leases and incompatible ocean
uses. BOEM has issued thirteen commercial leases (competitively or
noncompetitively) in every state with territorial waters bordering the
OCS from Massachusetts to North Carolina.
BOEM has received feedback from state and industry stakeholders
requesting that BOEM propose additional lease areas. This feedback has
been reinforced by increased competition in BOEM's most recent lease
sales in New York and North Carolina, as well as a recent increase in
the number of unsolicited lease applications submitted to BOEM. In
addition, stakeholders have requested that BOEM evaluate the next phase
of offshore wind leasing using a regional approach.
BOEM's intent in publishing this Notice is to start a conversation
surrounding its approach to future renewable energy leasing on the
Atlantic OCS. BOEM believes that additional areas of the Atlantic may
be viable for responsible and informed commercial wind development.
BOEM seeks input from stakeholders regarding areas where development
may or may not be appropriate, and what factors BOEM should consider in
the early stages of its future planning processes. This planning
exercise is not a replacement for BOEM's existing area identification
processes to determine Wind Energy Areas and issue leases through site-
specific analysis and stakeholder outreach. BOEM will continue to
pursue an area identification process in the future that is more
narrowly focused on specifically bounded offshore areas, utilizing
extensive analysis of site-specific conditions (e.g., fisheries,
navigation, seafloor conditions, etc.). Please refer to the following
web page (https://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy/Path-Forward/) for
details on other opportunities to comment on this Request for Feedback
(RFF).
Proposed Factors for Identification of Offshore Wind Forecast
Areas: BOEM has preliminarily identified factors that, in BOEM's
experience, are likely to help it assess whether a given area is
appropriate for offshore wind energy development. Applying these
factors to the Atlantic OCS, BOEM plans to identify ``forecast areas''
along the Atlantic Coast that have the highest probability for offshore
wind development. The forecast areas would be those geographic
locations on the Atlantic OCS that have multiple positive factors
(i.e., factors that may facilitate offshore wind development), thereby
indicating a strong likelihood that offshore wind leasing may be
feasible in that area. Maps illustrating the application of each of the
factors geographically are available at: https://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy/Path-Forward/.
Exclusionary Factors
The following factors would be considered exclusionary. At this
time, BOEM would consider them as creating ``no-go'' areas for offshore
wind.
OCSLA prohibited areas: Pursuant to the OCSLA, BOEM is prohibited
from leasing within the exterior boundaries of a unit of the National
Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, National Marine Sanctuary
System, or any National Monument.
DoD conflict areas: At this time, BOEM would not consider leasing
areas in the Atlantic designated as ``red'' by the DoD in its color-
coded assessments. DoD has designated these areas as incompatible with
wind energy development because of potential conflicts with mission
critical operations, training, or testing activities.
Maritime navigation conflict areas: At this time, BOEM would not
consider leasing areas within official (i.e., charted) marine vessel
traffic routing measures. Later in the Area Identification process,
BOEM would conduct a case-specific analysis of maritime vessel traffic
information (e.g., automatic identification system data) and might
further refine and delineate areas of high traffic use outside of
official traffic separation schemes and other routing measures.
Positive Factors
The factors discussed in this section would help BOEM identify the
locations that would be considered more favorable for wind energy
development. The greater the number of positive factors a location
exhibits, the greater the likelihood that location would fall within a
forecast area.
Areas not previously removed: Some areas of the OCS were removed
from consideration for leasing in BOEM's past Area Identification
processes for a variety of different reasons. In most cases, they were
removed for reasons that remain applicable today, such as certain high
value fishing areas off the coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island,
essential fish habitat offshore New York, and vessel traffic offshore
Maryland and New Jersey. Other areas of the OCS have not been removed
from leasing consideration, primarily because they have not been
previously evaluated, and may have potential for future wind energy
development. The areas that have not been removed from leasing
consideration previously are the focus of this factor. However, BOEM
asks that stakeholders review the removed areas and comment if they
believe BOEM should reconsider their prior removal.
Areas greater than 10 nautical miles (nm) from shore: BOEM
recognizes that an offshore wind energy facility may present viewshed
concerns for coastal stakeholders. In BOEM's previous area
identification efforts, it has imposed
[[Page 14883]]
various buffer distances from shore to address concerns about potential
visual impacts of wind development. The buffers are typically greater
than or equal to 10 nm from shore. BOEM requests feedback on whether
the 10 nm distance is a reasonable positive factor for this planning
exercise.
Areas shallower than 60 meters (m) in depth: Although fixed-bottom
substructures currently dominate the global offshore wind market, these
structures may not be economically feasible in water depths exceeding
60 m. Therefore, BOEM has chosen 60 m depth as a factor in identifying
forecast areas. However, BOEM recognizes the recent development of
floating wind turbine technologies that may be deployed in deeper
waters. BOEM is specifically requesting comments from stakeholders
regarding 60 m depth as a positive factor for the appropriateness of an
area for wind energy development, as well as the existence of specific
areas or OCS blocks deeper than 60 m that may be appropriate for
offshore renewable energy development.
Areas adjacent to states with offshore wind economic incentives:
BOEM recognizes that offshore wind development incentives offered by
coastal states, such as offshore renewable energy credits or other
offtake mechanisms, influence the demand for such development. BOEM has
identified the States of Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New
York, and New Jersey as examples of states that have either a
legislative or policy mandate incentivizing additional offshore wind
development. Power generation at locations within 60 nm of the coasts
of these states may feed into their electric grids, and the state
incentives therefore may facilitate offshore wind development.
Areas adjacent to states that have an interest in identifying
additional lease areas: State interest in offshore renewable energy
leasing has been an important element in BOEM's past identification of
Wind Energy Areas. State interest is often expressed through active
state engagement with stakeholders through BOEM intergovernmental task
forces and other venues. Proactive efforts by coastal states to
facilitate stakeholder engagement and discussion of key issues help
inform BOEM's identification of Wind Energy Areas. BOEM has identified
Massachusetts (only the remaining Massachusetts wind energy areas), New
York, and South Carolina as states that have an established
intergovernmental task force and are also facilitating stakeholder
engagement in support of future offshore wind leasing. BOEM invites
Atlantic Coast states to respond to this RFF by specifying their level
of interest in future offshore wind leasing within OCS areas adjacent
to their coastline.
Areas for which industry has expressed interest: This factor
includes areas where offshore wind developers have expressed interest
in leasing a specific location. BOEM received these expressions of
interest either in response to a Call for Information and Nominations
or via an unsolicited lease request. With respect to this factor, BOEM
has received two unsolicited lease requests for two wind energy areas
offshore Massachusetts (the same areas that did not receive bids in
Lease Sale ATLW-4 on January 29, 2015); an unsolicited application for
further development offshore New York; and expressions of commercial
interest in areas that BOEM has identified offshore North and South
Carolina (the Wilmington East and West Wind Energy Areas and the Grand
Strand Call Area). As part of this RFF, BOEM requests that developers
identify areas along the Atlantic Coast that may be of interest for
future offshore wind leasing. This request is not a formal Request for
Interest, but rather to inform BOEM's planning efforts for future
potential offshore wind leasing.
Areas with resource and locational potential (potential factor):
BOEM acknowledges that certain areas of the OCS may have greater
commercial potential than others. As described in a recent March 2017
publication (located at https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy17osti/67675.pdf),
the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has developed a model
predicting the economic potential for specific portions of the OCS.
BOEM has identified this as a potential additional factor and has not
included it in the evaluation of forecast areas at this time. We are
requesting comments on the utility of this study in our planning
efforts--and, in particular, which parameter(s) of the NREL models
(energy potential, levelized cost of electricity, etc.), if any, would
be the most useful in identifying forecast areas.
BOEM is aware of many other factors that affect the appropriateness
of offshore development, including commercial and recreational
fisheries concerns, endangered species critical habitat, recreation and
tourism, and other environmental and multiple use concerns. However,
these factors are typically site-specific and will be thoroughly
evaluated on a case-by-case basis during any future Calls for
Information and Nominations and subsequent Area Identification stages
of BOEM's leasing process. BOEM will consider the information received
in response to this RFF to finalize the factors it will consider when
assessing the areas within which BOEM will focus future planning and
leasing efforts. A map of all factors applied to the waters offshore
the Atlantic Coast is available at: https://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy/Path-Forward/.
Separately, BOEM will continue to consider unsolicited lease
requests pursuant to 30 CFR 585.230 for areas both inside and outside
of the forecast areas.
Regional Ocean Plans and Data Portals: BOEM encourages commenters
to consult the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portals, which are
key components of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Ocean Plans developed
by the intergovernmental Regional Planning Bodies (RPB). These data
portals are located at https://www.northeastoceandata.org/data-explorer/
and https://portal.midatlanticocean.org/. BOEM believes the use of the
Data Portals will lead to a better shared understanding of who or what
might be affected by a given proposed activity. In addition to the maps
characterizing existing energy and infrastructure activities, the Data
Portals contain a range of maps of marine life, habitat areas, cultural
resources, transportation, fishing, and other human uses to be
considered when new energy or other infrastructure developments are
proposed. The Data Portals also help to identify important user groups
for further engagement by BOEM during the leasing process, such as
commercial and recreational fishermen, commercial transportation
providers, and the military, who are most likely to interact with new
offshore energy developments.
Protection of Privileged or Confidential Information: BOEM will
protect privileged or confidential information that you submit, as
provided in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Exemption 4 of FOIA
applies to trade secrets and commercial or financial information. 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, except as provided in FOIA. Please label
privileged or confidential information ``Contains Confidential
Information'' and consider submitting such information as a separate
attachment.
BOEM will not treat as confidential any aggregate summaries of such
information or comments not containing such information. Additionally,
BOEM may not treat as confidential the legal
[[Page 14884]]
title of the commenting entity (e.g., the name of your company).
Information that is not labeled as privileged or confidential may be
regarded by BOEM as suitable for public release.
Dated: April 3, 2018.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2018-07106 Filed 4-4-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
