In a continued push towards a clean energy economy, the Biden-Harris administration, through the Department of the Interior, has unveiled plans for an offshore wind energy lease sale in the Central Atlantic.
Auction Details and Potential Impact:
Scheduled for August 14, 2024, the auction managed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) targets areas with the capacity to generate up to 6.3 gigawatts of clean, renewable energy, enough to power 2.2 million homes.
This initiative represents a significant stride in expanding offshore wind opportunities and aligns with the President’s Investing in America agenda, which emphasizes job creation and investment in the clean energy sector.
Focus on Sustainable Development:
Secretary Deb Haaland stressed the administration’s commitment to a clean energy future, highlighting the potential of offshore wind to provide reliable, affordable power while addressing climate change concerns.
The Department is working closely with states, Tribes, and stakeholders to ensure responsible development and efficient utilization of offshore resources.
Exploring Additional Opportunities:
BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein underscored the agency’s dedication to exploring additional areas in the Central Atlantic for offshore wind development. BOEM remains committed to collaborating with all ocean users to ensure the environmentally responsible advancement of offshore wind energy.
Bidenomics and the Clean Energy Economy:
This announcement aligns with the Bidenomics agenda and the President’s Investing in America initiative, which aim to strengthen the American economy through infrastructure development, clean energy investments, and job creation. This focus on clean energy is a key element in combating the climate crisis and fostering resilient communities.
Offshore Wind Lease Sale Milestones:
Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris administration, significant progress has been made in the offshore wind sector.
The Department has approved the nation’s first eight commercial-scale offshore wind projects in federal waters and conducted four lease sales, including groundbreaking sales in the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico. A schedule for up to 12 additional lease sales through 2028 has also been outlined.
Lease Areas and Qualified Bidders:
The Final Sale Notice (FSN) outlines details of the lease areas, including one offshore Delaware and Maryland (Lease Area A-2) and one offshore Virginia (Lease Area C-1). Seventeen companies have qualified to participate in the August sale.
Collaborative Planning and Ecosystem Considerations:
BOEM partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop an ecosystem-based ocean planning model that informed the selection of the final lease areas. The FSN provides comprehensive information about the lease areas, provisions, auction details, and evaluation criteria.
Lease Stipulations and Bidding Credits:
BOEM has included several lease stipulations and bidding credits to encourage the creation of good-paying jobs and engagement with stakeholders. These stipulations include incentives for workforce training programs, domestic supply chain development, fisheries compensatory mitigation, and project labor agreements.
Continued Collaboration and Future Opportunities:
BOEM is actively collaborating with the Central Atlantic Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force to identify additional areas for future offshore wind leasing. This includes ongoing efforts with the State of Maryland to evaluate potential wind energy areas off Maryland’s shores.