The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is publishing a call to obtain nominations from companies interested in commercial offshore wind energy leases within the proposed areas in the New York Bight, US.
The four call areas, delineated as Fairways North, Fairways South, Hudson North, and Hudson South, include 222 whole OCS blocks and 172 partial blocks and comprise approximately 2,047 square nautical miles.
BOEM is also seeking public input on the potential for wind energy development in the call area, which includes site conditions, resources, and multiple uses in close proximity to, or within, the areas that would be relevant to its review of any nominations submitted, as well as the subsequent decision whether to offer all or part of the call areas for commercial wind leasing.
“We understand that development on the Outer Continental Shelf requires us to consider how these developments can affect people who make their living on the ocean,” said BOEM Acting Director Walter Cruickshank
“BOEM will continue to work closely with our stakeholders, including state government agencies and ocean users, to look at the potential impacts of offshore wind from a regional and cumulative perspective. For example, commercial and recreational fishing are important cultural and economic activities that must be considered. We encourage everyone to participate and provide feedback to help us identify future wind energy areas with the least impact to other ocean uses.”
The call will be published in the Federal Register on 11 April and will include a 45-day public comment period. Interested parties can submit nominations and comments until 29 May.
BOEM has awarded 13 commercial wind energy leases off the Atlantic coast, including New York , and expects to hold an additional competitive auction for wind energy areas offshore Massachusetts later this year.