The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued on Thursday its final environmental analysis that found "no significant impacts" from leasing Central Atlantic coastal areas for potential offshore wind development off the Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia coasts.
“BOEM is proud to continue to support the clean energy transition in a responsible manner in the Central Atlantic region,” said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein.
“We will continue to work closely with Tribes, our other government partners, ocean users, and the public to ensure that any development in the region is done in a way that avoids, reduces, or mitigates potential impacts to ocean users and the marine environment.”
As per the release, BOEM plans to hold a sale in the Central Atlantic later this year and a final sale notice will be published at least 30 days prior to the sale, including the time and date of lease sale and qualified participants.
The Department of the Interior announced a proposed offshore wind lease sale for two Wind Energy Areas in the Central Atlantic and one offshore the Commonwealth of Virginia in early December last year, the agency added.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website says scientists are still investigating the potential impacts of offshore wind energy development on marine life. Site assessment, construction, and operations increase ocean noise, which could affect the mating and navigation behaviors of fish, whales, and other species.
(Reuters - Reporting by Rahul Paswan; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
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