Search Results for keywords:"Outer Continental Shelf"

The Coast Guard has established 55 temporary safety zones around the construction of wind energy facilities for the Empire Wind 1 project, located offshore from Long Island, New York. These zones, each extending 500 meters from the facility's center point, aim to protect life, property, and the environment during construction, which may begin as early as March 2025 and continue through February 2028. During enforcement, only authorized vessels are allowed within these safety zones, and mariners will be notified of enforcement periods through various communication channels. This action was implemented following regulatory processes and public comments, focusing solely on safety rather than the wind energy projects themselves.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Maritime Administration are calling for public comments and inviting public participation in meetings regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Blue Marlin Offshore Port LLC's (BMOP) deepwater port license application. This project involves building, owning, and operating a deepwater port off the coast of Louisiana to export crude oil. The deepwater port is designed to manage Very Large Crude Carriers and similar vessels, with a loading capacity of up to 80,000 barrels per hour. Public meetings are scheduled for March 2025 in Louisiana and Texas. More details on how to provide comments can be found on the regulations.gov website under docket number MARAD-2020-0127.

In a memorandum dated January 6, 2025, the President of the United States directed the withdrawal of certain areas in the Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area from being available for oil and natural gas leasing. This decision aims to protect marine and coastal environments, considering the area's vulnerability to oil spills and the urgent need to address climate change. The withdrawal affects specific regions but does not impact existing leases or previous withdrawals made under different executive orders. The memorandum emphasizes being responsible stewards of the environment while trying to build resilience against climate change.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Oil and Gas Lease Sale 258 in Alaska's Cook Inlet. This document is now open for public review and comment until March 1, 2021, with virtual public hearings scheduled for February 2021. The Draft EIS explores potential environmental impacts of the lease sale and considers alternatives to the proposal, focusing on protecting local wildlife and important ecological areas. Public feedback can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from Vineyard Northeast, LLC for permission to incidentally impact small numbers of marine mammals during the construction of the Vineyard Northeast Offshore Wind Project. This project will take place offshore of Massachusetts and Connecticut and will run for five years starting January 1, 2028. The activities involved, like installing wind turbine foundations and underwater surveys, might disturb marine mammals, although serious harm or death is not expected. The public is invited to comment on the request by January 16, 2025, and all feedback will be considered in developing regulations for the project.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced that they are canceling the Record of Decision for the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale 257. This decision is in response to Executive Order 14008, which pauses new oil and gas leasing on public lands and offshore waters until a comprehensive review is completed. The lease sale was initially planned to occur on March 17, 2021, but is now halted. BOEM may consider the lease sale again after the review and could issue a new decision in the future.

The memorandum, issued by the Executive Office of the President, withdraws certain areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf from being available for oil and natural gas leasing. This decision affects regions in the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic, and the Pacific, considering the protection of fragile marine ecosystems, coastal environments, and the need to mitigate climate change. The withdrawal applies indefinitely and does not impact rights under existing leases in these areas.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), part of the Interior Department, has announced the release of a draft report called the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Regional Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sales: Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. This report studies potential impacts of oil and gas leasing in areas of the Outer Continental Shelf. BOEM is requesting public comments on this draft until January 27, 2025, and will hold virtual public meetings for further discussion. The draft considers various alternatives for oil and gas leasing and analyzes the possible effects on the environment and communities, balancing energy needs with environmental protection.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) plans to create an environmental impact statement (EIS) for an offshore wind energy facility proposed by Vineyard Mid-Atlantic, LLC. This project aims to build and operate wind turbines in a designated area off the coast of New York and New Jersey. The EIS will assess the potential environmental effects and consider public comments. BOEM's decision will help determine whether the facility can move forward, in line with federal and state goals for renewable energy.

The President issued a memorandum temporarily halting new wind energy leasing on all offshore areas of the Outer Continental Shelf, effective January 21, 2025, until the order is revoked. This pause is intended to assess the environmental, economic, and legal impacts of wind projects, including their effects on marine life and energy costs. Federal agencies are also directed to review existing wind projects for any legal or environmental issues and evaluate the impact of defunct windmills. The scheduled Federal review includes consulting various government departments and may involve informing courts about ongoing litigation related to wind energy projects.