The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has opened a public comment period on its draft Environmental Assessment (EA) concerning a proposed offshore wind zone in the Gulf of Maine, capable of supporting up to 15 gigawatts (GW) of wind energy.
According to BOEM, the designated wind energy area (WEA) spans nearly one million acres across eight distinct sites. Public feedback will be solicited until July 22, 2024, to gather input on the potential environmental impacts and feasibility of commercial wind energy lease sales off Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
The draft EA aligns with the Department of the Interior's proposal to facilitate commercial development through simultaneous auctions for each area. BOEM's assessment findings will play a crucial role in determining whether to proceed with lease sales.
If fully realized, the proposed development could accommodate turbines capable of supplying electricity to more than 5 million households.
