Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has outlined the path forward for future offshore wind leasing to meet the Biden-Harris administration’s goal to deploy 30GW of offshore wind energy by 2030.During a speech at the American Clean Power’s Offshore WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition in Boston, Mass., the Secretary announced plans for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to potentially hold up to seven new offshore lease sales by 2025 in the Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, Central Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico, as well as offshore the Carolinas, California, and Oregon. BOEM is working on refining its process for identifying additional Wind Energy Areas (areas that may be suitable for offshore wind energy leasing). More specifically, BOEM is developing clear goals, objectives, and guidelines that can be shared with government agencies, Tribes, industry, ocean users, and others prior to identifying such areas. In addition, BOEM will use the best available science as well as knowledge from ocean users and other stakeholders to minimize conflict with existing uses and marine life. In addition to identifying new offshore wind lease sales, BOEM is considering innovative lease stipulations consistent with the goals and objectives of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, such as lessee reporting requirements on efforts to minimise conflicts with other ocean users; mechanisms for project labor agreements; and investments in the U.S. domestic supply chain.
