The locations of the Narrowed Area of Interest and Preferred Site for the Maine Floating Offshore Wind Research Array are now available to view on the Portal. These layers can be found in the Energy and Infrastructure category and Planning Areas subcategory in the Data Explorer.
Based on analysis of the available information and input from stakeholders and other state agencies, the Governor’s Energy Office (Maine GEO) identified a Preferred Site for the proposed floating offshore wind research array within a Narrowed Area of Interest in the Gulf of Maine.
To arrive at the Preferred Site, Maine GEO balanced several factors, such as impacts on fisheries and wildlife, navigation, costs, and more. Read this document for the full summary of the siting considerations.
Maine GEO invites comments on this preferred site through July 30 to inform its final siting decision to be included in the federal lease application for the research array. Comments can be submitted through this form.
The application is the first step in a subsequent multi-year permitting process by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), which include further impact studies and opportunities for public input. For full information and background, visit the Maine GEO research array webpage.
