Overview
Title
Request for Information; Data for Marine Spatial Studies Related to Transmission Planning in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama
Agencies
ELI5 AI
NOAA, a group that studies the ocean, wants to know what ocean and coast information people have to help plan where to put things like windmills in the sea near Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. They're asking people to tell them what they know, either by writing or talking to them, to help with this planning.
Summary AI
NOAA's National Ocean Service, in collaboration with several agencies, is seeking public input to identify data for transmission planning in the Gulf of Mexico off Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. This Request for Information aims to improve coastal and marine spatial studies, focusing on offshore wind and transmission planning. The public can provide feedback through written comments or by participating in a public meeting in New Orleans on January 14-15, 2025. The feedback will help NOAA understand data needs and gaps for marine spatial planning and engage better with communities.
Abstract
NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), hereafter NOAA, in partnership with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Department of Energy (DOE) Grid Deployment Office (GDO) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), is working to build on existing spatial planning capacity in the United States (U.S.) Gulf of Mexico region. Through this Request for Information, NOAA is seeking public input to identify coastal and marine spatial data or other critical information to inform spatial analyses for transmission planning in state and Federal waters off Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The input we receive from the data development workshop meeting, as well as the responses to the items listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document, will be used to inform potential coastal and ocean development activities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico region, such as renewable energy development.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
NOAA's National Ocean Service, alongside partners like the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Department of Energy, is seeking public input to enhance its coastal and marine spatial study capabilities in the Gulf of Mexico region. This initiative focuses on transmission planning, particularly in relation to offshore wind energy development off Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The document opens avenues for public feedback through written and verbal submissions.
General Summary
The document is a formal request for information, aiming to gather data and insights from the public to support spatial analyses for marine transmission planning in the Gulf of Mexico. It highlights NOAA's commitment to engaging with communities and involving them in its planning processes. The agency is seeking a broad range of input, including data on ocean sectors, concerns about dataset usage, gaps in knowledge, and recommendations for data collection.
Significant Issues or Concerns
One primary concern with the document is the lack of clarity regarding the next steps after gathering inputs. There is no detailed explanation of how the feedback will be utilized in the decision-making process, potentially leading to uncertain expectations among respondents. Additionally, the document uses numerous abbreviations, which might not be immediately recognizable to all readers, potentially complicating understanding.
The document also lacks definitions or explanations for terms like "marine spatial studies" and "transmission planning," which might leave some members of the public unsure of what specific input is being sought. While seeking input on data usage, the document does not provide examples of existing datasets or specific gaps, making it difficult for respondents to provide targeted feedback. Furthermore, the request does not prioritize the data types it seeks, potentially resulting in unfocused feedback.
Impact on the Public
The document invites public participation, allowing individuals and communities to engage in NOAA's planning processes. This engagement could empower communities by giving them a voice in important marine and coastal developments. However, without clear guidance or explanations, the document might alienate some readers who could otherwise contribute valuable insights.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The document is likely to impact various stakeholders differently. For local communities in the Gulf of Mexico region, it offers an opportunity to influence planning processes that could affect their environment, economy, and way of life. However, without clear strategies for engagement beyond accepting submissions, there may be concerns about the inclusivity and effectiveness of the feedback process.
Organizations and individuals with expertise in marine data and renewable energy may find this an opportunity to influence policy direction and advocate for science-driven planning. Conversely, stakeholders such as fishermen or environmental groups might worry about how their concerns will be addressed if the document does not make clear how different types of input will be prioritized and used.
In summary, while this document represents an important step towards inclusive and informed marine spatial planning, clearer definitions, examples, and follow-up actions are necessary to fully realize its potential for meaningful public and stakeholder engagement.
Issues
• The document appears to emphasize a request for public input, but it does not clearly outline the potential consequences or follow-up actions based on the input gathered, which could lead to unclear expectations from respondents.
• The text contains multiple abbreviations (NOAA, BOEM, DOE, GDO, NREL) that, while defined early on, can be overwhelming for the reader without regular reminders of their meanings.
• The document seeks input through both electronic and verbal submissions, but it does not specify how these inputs will be weighed or used in decision-making, which might raise concerns about transparency.
• Terms like 'marine spatial studies' and 'transmission planning' are used throughout but are not defined. This could lead to ambiguity for public respondents who may not be familiar with these terms.
• The notice mentions the collection of specific datasets and gaps in scientific knowledge yet provides little detail or examples of existing datasets or known gaps, making it harder for the public to provide substantive feedback.
• The request for information covers a broad range of possible data and input types but does not specify prioritization, which might lead to disparate or unfocused responses.
• The section that addresses major concerns regarding data usage lacks specificity regarding the types of concerns that may be relevant or expected from stakeholders, potentially leaving them without guidance on how to shape their input.
• While engagement with local communities and the public is encouraged, the document lacks detailed strategies or methods on how this engagement will be implemented beyond receiving input.