The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced it is requesting public comment on an environmental assessment (EA) for the Wind Energy Area on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore Massachusetts.
The EA considers potential environmental impacts and socioeconomic effects from issuing renewable energy leases and related site characterization activities within the Wind Energy Area. Site characterization activities include geophysical, geotechnical, archaeological and biological surveys needed to develop specific project proposals on those leases.
The EA also considers environmental impacts associated with potential site assessment activities, including installation and operation of meteorological towers and buoys, in support of leases that may be issued.
“Responsible development of abundant wind energy in places like offshore Massachusetts is a key part of the Obama Administration’s all of the above energy strategy,” said BOEM Director Tommy P. Beaudreau . “At the same time, we must ensure that the potential effects of wind energy development on other resources, such as marine mammals and fishing, are closely analyzed and that appropriate protections are put in place.”
BOEM is requesting public comments on the adequacy of the environmental analysis and of the measures designed to reduce or eliminate potential environmental impacts. BOEM will consider such comments before determining whether to issue a Finding of No Significant Impact, or conduct additional analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act.
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Press release, November 01, 2012; Image: boem