Decision-making for Offshore Wind Energy
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is responsible for offshore renewable energy development in Federal waters. In 2009, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the final regulations for the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Renewable Energy Program, which was authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct). These regulations provide a framework for all activities needed to support the production and transmission of energy from sources other than oil and natural gas. Under EPAct, BOEM must ensure that projects are developed in environmentally responsible ways and consider other uses of the OCS. BOEM must also coordinate with relevant federal agencies as well as state and local governments.
Main Phases of the BOEM Wind Energy Leasing Process
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To begin the process, BOEM identifies suitable areas for wind energy development.
BOEM publishes a Request for Interest (RFI) to determine whether there is competitive interest in leasing a given area. Once the RFI is published, BOEM also publishes a call for information and nominations, allowing BOEM to gather geological, socioeconomic, biological, and environmental information about the site. At this time, BOEM meets with local government, states, tribes, and others to provide information and gather input. After appropriate areas have been identified, otherwise known as Wind Energy Areas (WEAs), an environmental assessment is conducted to discern the impact the wind farm may have on the outer continental shelf.
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In this second phase, BOEM issues leases for development on a competitive basis by publishing a proposed sale notice (PSN), during which it requests public comment.
At least 30 days before the lease sale, BOEM publishes a final sale notice that lists the final terms and identifies qualified bidders with demonstrated lease interest. After the final sale notice, a bidding process takes place yielding a winner of the lease auction.
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BOEM requests and reviews a site assessment conducted by the leaseholder.
The lessee completes a Site Assessment Plan (SAP), as well as a Construction and Operations Plan (COP). A SAP describes all initial activities that must take place before construction begins, and BOEM encourages lessees to conduct pre-survey meetings with BOEM and relevant parties to develop lease stipulations. The SAP must include data from:
Initial activities that were used to characterize the lease site (like resource assessment surveys or technology testing activities;
Physical characterization surveys such as geological and hazard surveys; and
Baseline environmental surveys, such as biological or archaeological surveys.
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BOEM reviews the leaseholder’s construction and operations plan (COP).
The COP must describe all proposed activities and planned facilities that a lessee intends to construct and use for the project. This includes onshore and offshore facilities, as well as anticipated project easements. If BOEM deems the COP to be complete and sufficient, it will conduct technical and environmental reviews, prepare a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis, and coordinate with state agencies about Coastal Zone Management compliance. Once all these steps have taken place, BOEM can approve or deny the COP. If approved, the lessee can submit design and installation plans and begin the installation process.
Video from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management describing the offshore wind decision-making process.
Public participation
Anyone may provide feedback throughout BOEM’s regulatory process. Public participation from ocean users and coastal communities is essential in ensuring sustainable and equitable offshore wind development. Click the learn more button below to view a comprehensive public participation guide.
Resources and Guidance Documents