The US Department of Defense has raised security concerns over several proposed wind energy areas (WEAs) in the Central Atlantic region, according to a recent statement. The US Navy and Air Force pointed to four of the six WEAs, including the two large eastern deepwater areas, as potentially affecting military operations. They noted that the two remaining parcels, the smallest proposed, will require additional study.
This development could potentially impact the future of offshore wind development in the region. The six WEAs were previously identified by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) as potential areas for an offshore wind auction. In a statement, BOEM noted that it “has a long working relationship with DoD, and together we have successfully deconflicted and identified areas that have resulted in 27 leases. We will continue this collaboration as we seek to identify new lease areas in the Central Atlantic.”
As the process moves forward, BOEM has said that they will incorporate the DoD's compatibility assessment into the spatial model being used to inform identification of final Wind Energy Areas in the Central Atlantic. The bureau has emphasized the importance of collaboration with the DoD in this process, stating that “because BOEM was already collaborating with DoD, we did not incorporate a DoD compatibility assessment in the draft Wind Energy Areas released for public comment in November 2022.”
This collaboration will be crucial to ensuring that any potential conflicts between offshore wind development and military operations are resolved before final lease areas are identified. As BOEM continues to work towards identifying new lease areas in the Central Atlantic, the importance of a collaborative and comprehensive approach cannot be overstated.
According to David B. Levy, an attorney at Venable LLP who specializes in offshore wind development, “It's important that we take a measured approach to offshore wind development in the Central Atlantic to ensure that it is done in a way that is both responsible and compatible with existing military operations. This collaboration between BOEM and the DoD is a step in the right direction towards achieving that goal.”
As the US continues to pursue renewable energy sources, offshore wind development is poised to play a major role in meeting the country's energy needs. However, as this recent development highlights, it is important that these efforts are undertaken in a way that is both responsible and collaborative. With continued cooperation between the BOEM and the DoD, it is possible to achieve a future in which offshore wind energy and military operations can coexist in the Central Atlantic region.
