BOEM Links Up with US Department of Defense on Offshore Wind

October 30, 2024, by Adnan Memija

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Department of Defense (DOD) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support the coordinated development of offshore wind on the US Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

The agreement calls for DOD and BOEM to find mutual solutions that support renewable energy in a manner compatible with essential military operations.

The MoU also requires the organizations to collaborate early in the offshore wind leasing process and maintain regular communication at all levels.

Additionally, the agreement calls for DOD and BOEM to determine what areas should be deferred from leasing to enable the performance of DOD activities on the OCS.

“We will continue to work with BOEM and our other interagency partners, to find solutions that enable offshore wind development while ensuring long-term compatibility with testing, training, and operations critical to our military readiness”, said Brendan Owens, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment.

Just recently, BOEM held an auction in the Gulf of Maine, marking the first lease sale in the region and the first for floating offshore wind on the US Atlantic coast.

Avangrid and Invenergy each secured two lease areas, which have the potential to power more than 2.3 million homes with renewable energy.