The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has invited proposals for baseline environmental and socioeconomic studies to guide its decision-making regarding potential offshore wind energy projects in US territories, signaling a concerted effort to ensure informed and responsible development in these areas.
Rodney Cluck, Chief of BOEM's environmental studies programme, underscored the agency's commitment to robust scientific research, stating, “BOEM develops, funds, and manages rigorous scientific research to ensure our decisions are informed by the best science and indigenous knowledge available.”
The call for proposals comes in the wake of a new five-year plan for offshore wind leasing unveiled by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland in April, reflecting the administration's push for expanded renewable energy infrastructure.
To solicit ideas for studies, BOEM has issued a request for Letters of Interest (LOI) and a Request for Information (RFI) to identify entities in the US territories equipped to conduct environmental monitoring and research.
The deadline for submitting responses to the LOI and RFI is set for August 23, 2024, marking an opportunity for interested parties to contribute to the scientific foundation underpinning offshore wind energy decision-making.
BOEM's Environmental Studies Programme, mandated by law, focuses on generating data to inform policy decisions related to energy, mineral, and geological resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This research aims to assess, predict, monitor, and manage potential environmental impacts of authorized activities.
