Minerals Management Service July 9, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), MMS is inviting comments on a collection of information that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval. The information collection request concerns the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 250, Subpart I, Platforms and Structures, Notice to Lessees and OperatorsDamage Caused by Hurricane(s). This request covers damage due to any hurricane(s) that may occur in the Gulf of Mexico over the next 3 years.

The MMS is proposing regulations that would establish a program to grant leases, easements, and rights-of-way (ROW) for alternative energy project activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) as well as for certain previously unauthorized activities that involve the alternate use of existing facilities located on the OCS; and would establish the methods for sharing revenues generated by this program with nearby coastal States. These regulations are also intended to ensure the orderly, safe, and environmentally responsible development of alternative energy sources on the OCS. The MMS is developing this program and proposed regulations under the authority granted the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), which amended the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCS Lands Act). Under this new authority, the Secretary maintains discretionary authority to issue leases, easements or ROWs on the OCS for previously unauthorized activities that: Produce or support production, transportation, or transmission of energy from sources other than oil and gas; or use, for energy-related or other authorized marine-related purposes, facilities currently or previously used for activities authorized under the OCS Lands Act. The MMS has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzing this proposed rule. The Draft EA incorporates by reference the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Alternative Energy Development and Production and Alternate Use of Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf, Final Environmental Impact Statement, October 2007. This Draft EA was prepared to assess any impacts of this proposed rule. We are furnishing this notification to allow other agencies and the public an opportunity to review and comment on the Draft EA. All comments received on this proposed rulemaking and the Draft EA will become part of the public record and will be available for review.