The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) also has announced the release of its draft Environmental Assessment (EA) on the potential impacts from future commercial leasing and related site characterisation and assessment activities within the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (WEA) in Northern California Wind Energy Area.
The Humboldt WEA is approximately 206 square miles that, if developed, could bring up to 1.6GW of clean energy to the grid. The draft EA considers potential environmental impacts and socioeconomic effects from issuing offshore wind energy leases and related site characterization and assessment activities within the Humboldt WEA. Site characterization activities include geophysical, geotechnical, archaeological, and biological surveys needed to develop specific project proposals on those leases. Site assessment activities could include installation and operation of meteorological buoys in support of leases that may be issued. Before approving the construction of any offshore wind energy facility on a potential future lease in the Humboldt WEA, BOEM will develop an Environmental Impact Statement to analyse the specific environmental consequences of constructing and operating such a facility, in consultation with Tribes and appropriate federal, state, and local agencies, and with participation by stakeholders and the public. BOEM is also requesting public comments related to potential impacts to historic properties from commercial leasing and site characterization and assessment activities in the Humboldt WEA.
