Bureau of Ocean Energy Management April 6, 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.