The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has published the final Environmental Assessment (EA) of the 15GW wind energy area (WEA) located in the US Gulf of Maine.
The final EA evaluated the potential issuance of commercial wind energy leases off the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
It considered the potential environmental impacts associated with activities such as conducting surveys and installing meteorological buoys, but not the installation of offshore turbines, which would be assessed in a separate environmental review if a leaseholder submits a project proposal.
BOEM found that leasing and site assessment and characterization activities will not have a significant impact on the environment.
Its director Elizabeth Klein (pictured) said: “BOEM is actively assessing proposed offshore wind activities in the Gulf of Maine by collaborating with Tribes, state and federal agencies, ocean users, local communities, and other stakeholders.
“We are committed to ensuring that future offshore wind development proceeds in a manner that reduces potential impacts on other ocean activities and the surrounding ecosystem.”
On April 30, 2024, the Department of the Interior announced a proposed offshore wind energy lease sale in the Gulf of Maine, which would include eight potential leasing areas within the WEA offshore Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
The eight areas total nearly one million acres and have the potential to generate approximately 15GW of clean, renewable energy and power more than five million homes.
On March 15, 2024, the Department announced that BOEM would prepare an EA on potential impacts from offshore wind energy leasing in the Gulf of Maine.
BOEM held an open comment period on the draft EA between June 21 and July 22, 2024, to receive and consider input from the public, including local communities, Tribes, and diverse ocean users.