Department of Interior

Carolinas offshore wind lease sale set for May

The Department of the Interior announced today that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed its environmental review and will hold a wind energy auction for two lease areas offshore the Carolinas on May 11.

The lease areas cover 110,091 acres in the Carolina Long Bay area that, if developed, could result in at least 1.3 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, enough to power nearly 500,000 homes.

“BOEM is focused on ensuring that any development offshore North Carolina is done...

https://www.marinelog.com/offshore/offshore-wind/carolinas-offshore-wind-lease-sale-set-for-may/

NOIA ready to work with Biden pick for Secretary of the Interior

The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) says it is “ready to work with” Representative Deb Haaland, who will be President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee as the next Secretary of the Interior.

Two key offshore industry agencies are part of the Department of the Interior: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.

NOIA President Erik Milito issued the following statement on the Haaland nomination:

“NOIA is ready to work with President-elect Joe...

https://www.marinelog.com/offshore/noia-ready-to-work-with-biden-pick-for-secretary-of-the-interior/

Biden administration would boost offshore wind

An incoming administration under president-elect Joe Biden will bring strong support to the emerging U.S. offshore wind energy industry, likely paving the way for additional federal lease offerings, according to industry analysts.

“For the offshore wind industry, a President Biden is a far more positive development,” said Sarah Vilms of Squire Patton Boggs, a law and lobbying firm with offices in Washington, D.C.

With his intent to return the U.S. to the Paris climate agreement vacated by...

https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/biden-administration-would-boost-offshore-wind/

Corps of Engineers signs hydropower agreement

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers joined the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation in signing an interagency memorandum of understanding Thursday during a ceremony on National Hydropower Day. The agencies agree to collaborate on common issues and leverage resources to further the nation’s hydropower generation.

Ryan A. Fisher, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army (Civil Works); Brenda Burman, commissioner for the Bureau of Reclamation; and...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/corps-of-engineers-signs-hydropower-agreement/

Trump administration postpones plans to expand offshore oil drilling

An offshore service vessel alongside a drillship in the Gulf of Mexico. BP photo.

Stung by a federal court decision in Alaska last month, Trump administration officials are putting a hold on ambitious plans to greatly expand offshore oil and gas leasing.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal published April 25, recently confirmed Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt said new leasing plans for the East and West coasts and Alaska will likely be delayed while a March 29 ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason winds its way through the appeals process.

Sittin...

https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/trump-administration-postpones-plans-to-expand-offshore-oil-drilling/