The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) is cutting the potential area available for future commercial wind energy leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore Massachusetts by as much as half.
This reduction is in response to multiple comments received in response to a Request for Interest (RFI) issued on December 29, 2010. The RFI invited the public to provide information useful to BOEMRE in evaluating the suitability of the identified area for potential future leasing. The RFI also asked that wind energy developers describe their interest in acquiring commercial leases for potential future projects. BOEMRE has received 11 submissions from ten companies describing commercial leasing interest within the RFI area. BOEMRE is reviewing these submissions for completeness and also to evaluate legal, technical and financial qualifications to hold an OCS renewable energy lease. BOEMRE has not yet identified an area that may be offered for leasing or approved for subsequent development. Next steps include continued meetings of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Task Force to inform members of the submissions of interest, comments received, and to discuss next steps, including the identification of a “Smart from the Start Wind Energy Area” and the development of a Call for Information and Nominations. After consulting with Task Force members and stakeholders, BOEMRE may further modify the area under consideration for potential commercial wind energy leasing.
This reduction is in response to multiple comments received in response to a Request for Interest (RFI) issued on December 29, 2010. The RFI invited the public to provide information useful to BOEMRE in evaluating the suitability of the identified area for potential future leasing. The RFI also asked that wind energy developers describe their interest in acquiring commercial leases for potential future projects. BOEMRE has received 11 submissions from ten companies describing commercial leasing interest within the RFI area. BOEMRE is reviewing these submissions for completeness and also to evaluate legal, technical and financial qualifications to hold an OCS renewable energy lease. BOEMRE has not yet identified an area that may be offered for leasing or approved for subsequent development. Next steps include continued meetings of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Task Force to inform members of the submissions of interest, comments received, and to discuss next steps, including the identification of a “Smart from the Start Wind Energy Area” and the development of a Call for Information and Nominations. After consulting with Task Force members and stakeholders, BOEMRE may further modify the area under consideration for potential commercial wind energy leasing.