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In a significant move to bolster America’s transition towards a clean energy economy, the Department of the Interior unveils plans for an offshore wind lease sale in the Central Atlantic. In a bid to support the nation’s commitment to clean energy and job creation, the Biden-Harris administration, through the Department of the Interior, has announced a groundbreaking proposal for an offshore wind lease sale in the Central Atlantic. This initiative, part of the President’s Investing in America agenda, aims to expand offshore wind opportunities and build on the momentum generated by previous investments.
Secretary Deb Haaland emphasized the administration’s dedication to a clean energy future, stating, “Since the start of our administration, the Department of the Interior has approved the nation’s first six commercial-scale offshore wind energy projects. Today’s announcement is another step forward in the Biden-Harris administration’s pursuit of a clean energy future. We are taking action to jumpstart America’s offshore wind industry and using American innovation to deliver reliable, affordable power to homes and businesses, while also addressing the climate crisis.”
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will play a pivotal role in executing the proposed sale. BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein expressed excitement about the potential lease sale, saying, “The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will continue to work closely with our government partners and key stakeholders as we move forward with the leasing process in the Central Atlantic. We are excited to announce this proposed sale and underscore our commitment to explore additional areas in the Central Atlantic for potential offshore wind development.”
Under the umbrella of Bidenomics and the Investing in America agenda, the administration has been driving economic growth, focusing on infrastructure, private sector investments, and job creation. The Department of the Interior has conducted four offshore wind lease auctions during the Biden-Harris administration, generating nearly $5.5 billion in high bids.
The proposed lease sale encompasses areas offshore Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, with the potential to power over 2.2 million homes with clean energy. The lease areas include Lease Area A-2, covering 101,443 acres approximately 26.4 nautical miles from Delaware Bay, and Lease Area C-1, spanning 176,505 acres about 35 nautical miles from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.
Public input is a crucial aspect of this process, and BOEM is seeking comments on which, if any, of the two lease areas should be offered in a lease sale next year. These areas have been carefully selected with the assistance of a comprehensive ocean planning model developed in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science.
It’s worth noting that the proposed sale does not include WEA B-1, located offshore Ocean City, MD. BOEM has excluded WEA B-1 due to significant costs and mitigation requirements, but it may be considered in a potential second lease sale in the Central Atlantic, potentially as early as 2025.
The Proposed Sale Notice, set to publish in the Federal Register, initiates a 60-day public comment period. It provides details about leasing areas, provisions, auction details, criteria for bids, and procedures for lease award, appeals, and lease execution.
BOEM is actively seeking feedback on several lease stipulations to reinforce its commitment to job creation and engagement with stakeholders. These stipulations include providing bidding credits for workforce training programs, developing a domestic supply chain, and contributing to fisheries compensatory mitigation funds.
In addition to the lease sale announcement, BOEM is preparing a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate potential environmental impacts. The draft EA will be available for review and public comment, further emphasizing the administration’s commitment to responsible and sustainable offshore wind development.
