The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is seeking ideas for baseline environmental and socioeconomic studies to inform its decisions on potential offshore wind energy activities in the US territories.
To formally request ideas for baseline environmental and socioeconomic studies, the bureau has issued a request for Letters of Interest (LOI).
In addition, BOEM is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to determine which entities in the US territories have capabilities, expertise, and interest in performing environmental monitoring and studies in the US territories.
The deadline for responding to the LOI and RFI is 23 August 2023.
“BOEM develops, funds, and manages rigorous scientific research to ensure our decisions are informed by the best science and Indigenous knowledge available. Additional research focused on the U.S. territories will increase our understanding of these important areas, and the potential impacts of offshore wind energy development on their residents and resources,” said Rodney Cluck , Chief of BOEM’s Environmental Studies Programme.
BOEM’s announcement follows the release of a new five-year plan for offshore wind leasing announced by the US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland in April.
Future offshore wind energy lease sales from BOEM are anticipated in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, and the waters offshore of the US territories in the next five years.
The leasing schedule includes four potential offshore lease sales in 2024, one each in 2025 and 2026, two in 2027, and four in 2028.