The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the availability of a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) of the Wind Energy Area (WEA) located in the U.S. Gulf of Maine. Public comment on the draft is open through July 22, 2024. To comment on the draft EA, go to www.regulations.gov and search for BOEM-2024-0030.
The draft EA analyzes the potential issuance of commercial wind energy leases offshore Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. The draft EA considers the potential environmental impacts associated with activities such as surveys and installation of meteorological buoys, but not installation of offshore turbines, which would be covered by a separate environmental review if a project proposal is submitted by a leaseholder.
During the public comment period, BOEM will be hosting two virtual meetings to allow the public to learn more about the draft EA, ask questions, and provide oral testimony. Registration is required:
- July 8, 2024, at 1 p.m. ET – Registration Link
- July 10, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET – Registration Link
More information on the draft EA can be found at https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/maine/gulf-maine.
