BOEM Offshore Renewable Energy Leasing

Abstract

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, an agency in the Department of the Interior, oversees development of the nation's energy and mineral resources in the Federal waters offshore the United States known as the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). In 2005 BOEM was granted new authority by the Energy Policy Act to issue leases, easements, and rights-of-way for renewable energy projects, cables transporting renewable energy, and the alternate use of existing facilities on the OCS. BOEM established a robust offshore renewable energy program, standing up Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Forces in thirteen states and working closely with stakeholders to insure the safe development and stewardship of the Nation's offshore renewable energy resources. Based in Camarillo, California, the BOEM Pacific OCS Region covers California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. This presentation will provide an overview of activities occurring both nationally and within the Pacific Region, an overview of BOEM's four-step leasing process, and information on the Pacific Region's unique geologic and bathymetric characteristics and how they are being addressed by various types of offshore renewable energy technologies.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90215 © 2015 Pacific Section AAPG Convention, Oxnard, California, May 3-6, 2015