Tag Archives: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
Offshore Wind Cumulative Impact Issue Analysis
When the Feds finally do the cumulative environmental impact analysis for whales as mandated by the Endangered Species Act there are a number of basic issues to be resolved. Here is a quick look at some for the desperately endangered North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW). Cumulative refers to the combined impact of multiple offshore projects. The first issue is which projects to combine for analysis. NARW are found along the entire Atlantic coastal waters which bounds the geography. Other endangered critters are found along the Gulf and West Coasts. Projects can be in very different stages of development. Here is a hierarchy of sorts that gives several obvious options, from relatively small to enormous. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:07
Murphy, Biden continue to ignore serious offshore wind questions | Chris Smith
Because both the Murphy and Biden Administrations are forcing approximately 3,400 ocean wind turbines on us without our input, advice or consent. We say no—enough is enough. Because Murphy and Biden have not answered any of our profoundly serious questions—even dismissing our well-founded concern that sonar mapping of the ocean floor is contributing to the tragic spike in whale and dolphin deaths as ‘disinformation.’ We say no—enough is enough. And because there is absolutely no transparency in this egregiously flawed process—I authored two pieces of legislation that passed the House of Representatives to demand accountability. My first amendment, which passed in late March 244 to 189, tasked the Government Accountability Office—the Congressional watchdog agency—to investigate the ‘sufficiency of the environmental review processes for offshore wind projects…of the Marine Fisheries Service, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and any other relevant Federal agency.’ >>click to read<< 21:41
Renewables and unions: Biden rounds out energy Cabinet
President-elect Joe Biden closed out his Cabinet picks last week with the choice of Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) for Commerce secretary and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh for Labor secretary,,, Offshore wind insiders say Raimondo appears to be an answer to the growing friction between a burgeoning renewable sector and the fishermen who have long been the ocean’s dominant users.,, Raimondo would oversee NOAA Fisheries, a critical gatekeeper to the growing line of offshore wind projects awaiting approval from the incoming Biden government. >click to read< 17:08
Fishing vs. offshore energy: A fight for the ocean’s future
Fishermen are looking keep their grounds through Pacific County’s new shoreline buffers. The Shoreline Management Program (SMP) limits development to protect water quality, habitat and coastal functions. For years, local agencies have worked to rewrite the program to match new state guidelines.,, Out of the state’s remaining 38 miles of coast open for fishing and development, roughly 32 of those miles border Pacific County. The limited space has caused fishermen to worry that offshore development will cut them off from the catch. Read the rest here 15:20
The Squatters are coming! Bay State Making Plans for Ocean Development
In the third of five public hearings on the 2014 draft Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan, Coastal Zone Management (CZM) director Bruce Carlisle opened the Oct. 22 meeting by quoting the original 2004 Ocean Management Task Force” “The ocean can no longer be a place where use is determined on a first-come, first-served basis for competing multiple uses.” Read the rest here 17:39
Public input sought on proposed floating wind farm off Oregon Coast
Many people are skeptical how projects like a floating wind farm will affect nearby people and animals. A floating wind energy farm proposed off the coast of Coos Bay is under review. “This project is a little outside of the crab grounds,” said Hugh Link with the Dungeness Crab Commission, “but we’re also concerned for other fisheries and for the maritime safety.” Read more here 16:06
Dominion Virginia wins right to lease ocean tract for wind farm
Interior officials said they have worked with the Defense Department, maritime and fishing interests, and environmental groups to minimize or eliminate conflicts with wind turbines. Later in the development process, they likely will conduct a full environmental impact review to assess other potential problems. more@wapo 09:52
Cape Fear coast in Obama administration’s offshore energy plans-Interior Secretary Salazar’s Smart From the Start? Lol!
“Today’s announcement represents a significant step forward in facilitating the responsible development of renewable, clean energy offshore the United States,” said BOEM Director Tommy P. Beaudreau. http://www.wwaytv3.com/2012/12/12/cape-fear-coast-obama-administrations-offshore-energy-plans#comment-195734
Fisheries Working Group meeting on Offshore Renewable Energy – November 14th at 8:00 AM
November 12, 2012 — The Fisheries Working Group meeting on Offshore Renewable Energy will be next Wednesday, November 14th at 8:00 AM at the New Bedford Harbor Development Commission, 52 Fisherman’s Wharf, New Bedford, MA.
Industrialized…Fishing??? How about a Green Energy Industrial Assault?
I guess it’s OK to plant hundreds of 600′ tall (that’s equivalent to a 60 story building) wind towers on prime fishing grounds off of Delaware; but, according to this “Scraping the Seafloor Smooth” op-ed in the NY Times and posted on https://fisherynation.com/archives/1374 “heavy bottom trawling” is leveling off sea mounts and doing drastic damage to our ocean bottom http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/23/opinion/industrialized-fishing-scrapes-the-seafloor-smooth.html?_r=1
“Heavy trawling takes place all around the world, including off the coasts of the United States. In the scientists’ study area — the Mediterranean Sea near Spain Read More
WASHINGTON -As part of the Obama Administration’s all-of-the-above strategy to expand safe and responsible domestic energy production, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Tommy P. Beaudreau today announced that BOEM has reached agreement on a lease for commercial wind energy development in federal waters that covers 96,430 acres approximately 11 nautical miles off the coast of Delaware. http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=bgwiiwiab&v=001Qll-Xe3DdxHqK5lM72iXgwxYClSTDUSBzbveiZFTiSwiGVm2WZQWqbhVVsFKOsW7poG992q9ow6_4JaEyxu-Q88tL-FAH3TqR-r62mC9dtcML3XW7OLlNwc8wpTtBq1T4LzZfIUcYFSdM_pGeTgZKZPmBtWPrxSY1h6VKvN_Y-OsTPwYIOKTqA%3D%3D
Deepwater Wind Statement on BOEM’s Announcement of Wind Energy Area for Rhode Island and Massachusetts
“Deepwater Wind applauds today’s announcement by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. We are one step closer to making a regional utility-scale offshore wind farm a reality, serving Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Long Island, New York. Our Deepwater Wind Energy Center, planned for the site in federal waters announced by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today, is the largest planned renewable……….Offshore wind can be constructed and operated in our ocean waters without significant impacts to the important fishing industry. While we firmly believe that offshore wind and commercial fishing can co-exist and thrive in our ocean waters,,,,,,,,,,,Deepwater Wind will soon hire an experienced and respected fisherman from this region to serve as our liaison to the fishing community. Deepwater Wind commits itself to a development and permitting process in which various fishing interests blah blah blah blah, William M. Moore, Deepwater Wind CEO http://dwwind.com/news/deepwater-wind-statement-on-boem-s-announcement-of-wind-energy-area-for-rhode-island-and-massachusetts
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/03/us-deepwater-wind-idUSBRE8920ZX20121003
