The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced plans for environmental review of leased offshore wind sites in California
For Immediate Release: December 19, 2023
Media Contact: Luke Jeanfreau | [email protected] | 504-302-8079
BALTIMORE — Oceantic Network, the leading organization working to advance offshore wind and other ocean renewable industries and their supply chains, welcomes today’s announcement from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) that it will conduct preliminary environmental reviews for offshore wind lease areas off the coast of California to hasten later project-specific reviews.
BOEM signaled its intent to create a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the five wind energy areas awarded in BOEM’s December 2022 auction, similar to one done in the New York/New Jersey Bight back in 2022. The PEIS will describe potential impacts of offshore wind development off California’s coast, as well as potential mitigation measures and their impacts.
The following statement can be attributed to Liz Burdock, founder and CEO of Oceantic Network:
“Interest in California’s market is already generating billions in potential investment, and building momentum for floating offshore wind on the West Coast ensures the U.S. keeps pace with global advancements. By doing preliminary analysis on the newly leased West Coast areas, BOEM will streamline offshore wind development in California and build in environmental protections on the front-end. This proactive action is exactly the type of leadership we need from our State and federal governments.”
Additional Information:
- BOEM Announces Environmental Review of Future Development of California Offshore Wind Leases
- BOEM’s California Activities Page
For more information or to arrange an interview with the Network, contact Luke Jeanfreau at [email protected] or 504-302-8079.
###
As a non-profit organization, the Oceantic Network’s driving purpose is to inform, coordinate, and mobilize human ingenuity, enterprise, and labor to take advantage of the urgent need to tap the vast offshore wind and renewable energy resources that lie in the world’s oceans. The collective, coordinated efforts of our 600+ members equip communities and nations to accelerate the transition to clean energy and create economic opportunities.
