The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is seeking ideas for baseline environmental and socioeconomic studies to inform its decisions on potential offshore wind energy activities in the US territories.
BOEM is also seeking information on entities in the US that have the capabilities, expertise, and interest in carrying out environmental monitoring and conducting studies.
Chief of BOEM’s environmental studies programme Rodney Cluck said: “BOEM develops, funds, and manages rigorous scientific research to ensure our decisions are informed by the best science and indigenous knowledge available.
“Additional research focused on the US territories will increase our understanding of these important areas, and the potential impacts of offshore wind energy development on their residents and resources.”
The announcement follows the release of a new five-year plan for offshore wind leasing announced by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland in April.
To formally request ideas for baseline environmental and socioeconomic studies, the bureau has issued a request for Letters of Interest (LOI).
BOEM is also issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to determine which entities in the US territories have capabilities, expertise, and interest in performing environmental monitoring and studies in the US territories.
The deadline for responding to the LOI and RFI is August 23, 2024.
BOEM’s Environmental Studies Programme develops, funds, and manages rigorous scientific research specifically to inform policy decisions on the development of energy, mineral, and geological resources on the OCS, as required by law.
This environmental and social science research is designed to provide the bureau the necessary information to assess, predict, monitor, and manage potential environmental impacts of the activities it authorises.