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 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 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 U.S. Coast Guard is seeking applications for a vacancy on the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC). The open position is for someone who represents companies involved in oil exploration and production near Alaska's Outer Continental Shelf. Applicants should send their cover letter, resume, and a short biography to Lieutenant Justin Goff by February 18, 2025. Members of the committee advise the Department of Homeland Security on issues related to offshore energy resource exploration.

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 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 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes a change to an existing Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) issued to Bay State Wind, LLC for marine surveys off Rhode Island and Massachusetts. This modification is necessary because Bay State Wind has encountered more common dolphins than expected and requests an increase in the number they can disturb without harm (Level B harassment). The proposed modification would raise the authorized take of common dolphins from 1,485 to 2,970, with no other changes to the authorization. The public can comment on this proposed modification until December 26, 2024.

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 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.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has decided that there is competitive interest in leasing areas for wind energy development in the Gulf of Mexico, following a request for competitive interest published earlier in 2024. Hecate Energy Gulf Wind LLC initially expressed interest in leasing the areas, and Invenergy GOM Offshore Wind LLC also submitted an interest. Both companies have been found to be qualified for holding a lease, and BOEM plans to proceed with a competitive lease sale process in the Gulf, potentially starting in 2026. This decision comes after BOEM reviewed proposals and comments regarding the suitability of the specified areas for wind energy projects.