Input sought on possible offshore locations in Central Atlantic

September 28, 2024 11

In an effort to continue the country’s offshore wind program, the federal government has issued a call for information for about 13 million acres of ocean water that stretch from southern New Jersey south to the southern tip of North Carolina.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued the call in late August. It’s the second offshore wind sale for the Central Atlantic.

As part of the information-gathering process, BOEM hosted a number of information sessions in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. The one in Delaware took place Sept. 25, at the Fairfield Inn and Suites outside Rehoboth Beach.

David Diamond, Office of Renewable Energy Programs’ Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf deputy chief of operations, was one of the agency representatives on hand. This is the very beginning of a years-long process, he said.

According to a slide at the meeting, to meet the offshore wind production goals of North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, BOEM has estimated it will take between 355,000 and 510,000 acres of the 13 million to supply those needs.

In the end, this call area will be whittled down by more than 95%, said Diamond.

The call area begins 3 nautical miles offshore. Diamond said that’s simply where federal waters begin and is not an indication of how close BOEM is expecting windmills to be located.

Compared to when BOEM issued previous call area notices, which took a more regional approach, Diamond said this area is much larger because the government agency wants as much information as possible to minimize conflicts with other uses. For example, he said, commercial fisheries, military activities and vessel traffic.

In terms of time frame, getting the call area whittled down will take years, and then it will take another handful of years before any wind turbines are installed. There will be more opportunities for individuals to voice their opinion, said Diamond.

The in-person meetings for this portion of the process have passed, but BOEM will be holding a virtual public meeting, which will include an opportunity for the public to provide oral feedback. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2, and registration is required.

BOEM is accepting comments until Monday, Oct. 21.

Comments can be submitted by searching for docket number BOEM-2024-0040 on regulations.gov, clicking on the comment button below the document link, entering information and then clicking submit comment. In addition to commenting, there will be supporting and related materials available for this notice.

Comments can also be submitted by mail to the following address: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, Mail Stop VAM-OREP, Sterling, VA 20166.