Friday, November 5, 2021

Bureau of the Ocean Energy Management Announces Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Wind Energy Leasing in the Gulf of Mexico

The following is shared as a courtesy to our subscribers:

On October 28, 2021, the Department of the Interior announced that it would publish a Call for Information and Nominations (Call) to further assess commercial interest in wind energy leasing in the Gulf of Mexico. The Call was published in the Federal Register on November 1, 2021, and triggers a 45-day public comment period ending on December 16, 2021.

The Call Area consists of almost 30 million acres just west of the Mississippi River to the Texas/Mexican border.

Before deciding whether and where leases may be issued, BOEM will consider the comments received on the Call, conduct an environmental review as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, and consult with appropriate Tribes, federal and state agencies to consider the environmental consequences associated with issuing commercial wind energy leases within the Call Area. After completion of its environmental review, BOEM will consider the existing uses of the Call Area, as well as feedback from the GOM Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force and the public. BOEM will then decide whether to publish a PSN to describe the areas available for potential leasing and the proposed terms and conditions of the leases. There will be multiple opportunities for public input throughout this process.

How to Comment

Comments can be submitted in any of the following ways:

  • Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to?Regulations.gov?and search for Docket No. BOEM-2021-0077. Click on the blue “Comment” button in the upper left-hand corner of the page. Enter your information and comment, then click “Submit Comment.”
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  • In written form, delivered by hand or by mail, enclosed in an envelope labeled “Comments on Gulf of Mexico Call for Information” to: Office of Emerging Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394.

BOEM does not consider anonymous comments. Please include your name and address as part of your submittal. All comments submitted will be made part of the public record and will be posted publicly without change. Comments must be sent by or postmarked no later than 11:59 PM on December 16, 2021.

Public Engagement

BOEM coordinates Outer Continental Shelf renewable energy activities with its federal, state, local, and tribal government partners through its GOM Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force. BOEM also coordinates public information meetings to help keep interested stakeholders updated on major renewable energy milestones. To obtain information discussed during these meetings click on the links below.