BOEM Seeks Comments on Proposed Offshore Wind Auction Process (USA)

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is seeking comments on proposed lease sale auction procedures designed specifically to meet the needs of offshore wind development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) as part of the Secretary of the Interior’s “Smart from the Start” initiative.

Based on its own research and an auction study commissioned by the bureau, BOEM is considering several auction potential formats for use in a variety of circumstances.

“We are evaluating several possible auction formats designed to promote offshore wind development by efficiently allocating renewable energy leases while ensuring that the United States receives a fair return,” said BOEM Director Tommy P. Beaudreau. “This is an opportunity for the public to provide input into the proposed set of auction formats.”

The Auction Format Information Request that BOEM is releasing describes a number of potential formats that may be used for offshore wind lease sales. The specific format selected for each sale area would likely vary based on the specific characteristics of that sale. For example, BOEM may use a different auction format in instances where the bureau would issue only one lease than it would when issuing multiple leases.

BOEM will hold a workshop to discuss potential auction formats on Friday, December 16, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the South Interior Building Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

The proposed auction formats are open to comment for 45 days after publication in the Federal Register. Interested parties are invited to submit comments in one of the following ways:

– Electronically;

– By mail: “Comments on Offshore Wind AFIR”, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Economics Division (HM3310), 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817.

All written comments received will be made available to the public and considered during preparation of Proposed Sale Notices pertaining to the competitive leasing of OCS lands to support the development of offshore wind energy resources.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) manages the exploration and development of the nation’s offshore resources. The bureau seeks to balance economic development, energy independence and environmental protection through oil and gas leases, renewable energy development and environmental reviews and studies.

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Offshore WIND staff, December 05, 2011; Image: BOEM