BOEM has invited the public to attend the upcoming opportunities to exchange information regarding offshore wind energy in the Gulf of Maine. In August 2022, the Department of the Interior announced a “Request for Interest” (RFI) to gauge whether there is commercial interest in obtaining wind energy leases within an area in the Gulf of Maine consisting of about 13.7 million acres.BOEM reviewed the public input received in response to the RFI and worked collaboratively with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Center for Coastal and Ocean Science (NCCOS) to conduct a spatial analysis of the RFI area. In response to public input and the spatial analysis, BOEM has decided to reduce the RFI area by about 27% to 9.9 million acres.
BOEM would like the public’s feedback on the reduced RFI area, as well as input on the model being developed in partnership with NCCOS. This model will be used in the next phase of the planning process to aid in the identification of offshore areas that are the most suitable for commercial wind energy activities, while minimizing potential conflicts with marine life and all ocean users. BOEM will hold three in-person opportunities to hear from ocean users and other interested parties firsthand. BOEM will also hold virtual opportunities to hear from ocean users and other interested parties firsthand.
