Bureau of Ocean Energy Management December 3, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document is the Proposed Sale Notice (PSN) for the sale of commercial wind energy leases on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts, pursuant to BOEM's regulations at 30 CFR 585.216. BOEM proposes to offer for sale, using a multi- factor auction format, two leases that together encompass the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Wind Energy Area (WEA) that was identified on February 24, 2012 (see ``Areas Offered for Leasing'' below for a description of the WEA and lease areas). In this PSN, you will find information pertaining to the areas available for leasing, proposed lease provisions and conditions, auction details, the lease form, criteria for evaluating competing bids, award procedures, appeal procedures, and lease execution. BOEM invites comments during a 60-day comment period following this notice. The issuance of the proposed leases resulting from this announcement would not constitute an approval of project-specific plans to develop offshore wind energy. Such plans, expected to be submitted by successful lessees, will be subject to subsequent environmental and public review prior to a decision to proceed with development.