The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management recently released the results of their NEPA review for offshore wind power generation on the mid-Atlantic coast. The BOEM found that there would be no significant environmental impact, so lease sales should begin this year. Europe already has many offshore generation facilities, but the US has lagged behind in part due to regulatory constraints. With this finding, and a push from the Obama administration to create a more diverse energy generation profile, it appears that offshore wind construction will begin shortly in the US.
“Global offshore wind capacity is expected to reach 20 gigawatts in 2015, with 658 megawatts in the U.S., according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.”
Links
Obama Administration Announces Major Steps toward Leasing for Offshore Wind Projects in Mid-Atlantic (DoI)
U.S. Plans to Auction Leases for Offshore Wind Farms in 2012 (Bloomberg)
Obama Admin Fast-tracks Offshore Wind Power in Mid-Atlantic (treehugger)
One Small Step Forward For Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind Development (Law & The Environment)
Ben Koopferstock
Sam Petsonk
Jeff Wieand
Anthony Raucci
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