The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has produced a NOI (notification of intent) Checklist to outline how it will process incomplete offshore wind construction and operations plan (COP) submissions.
The list is designed to provide clarity to lessees and establish a pre-application and pre-NOI process with them and cooperating agencies that will benefit all stakeholders.
It also aims to improve the efficiency of proposed offshore wind project reviews by avoiding delays to the NEPA analysis after the NOI has been published.
In October 2022, BOEM published draft guidelines and opened a 45-day public comment period.
The final NOI Checklist guidelines address stakeholder comments by establishing a structured pre-application and pre-NOI process for each project, which integrate the checklist into the development of permitting schedules under FAST-41 and the Fiscal Responsibility Act, BOEM said.
By following the NOI Checklist, applicants can streamline the submission process and focus on stakeholder engagement and the environmental and technical evaluation of their renewable energy projects, it added.
BOEM has also published Marine Acoustic Modeling and Measurement Guidelines containing recommendations to lessees as they develop the acoustic and exposure models of impact pile-driving, and for sound-field measurements, to be included with their COP.