The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) has published a notice in the Federal Register requesting comments on the proposed form to be used to issue commercial renewable energy leases on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
The federal offshore renewable energy regulations published in 2009 stated that BOEMRE would develop a model lease form through a public process that invites interested and affected parties for their input.
The Federal Register notice opens a 30-day comment period, after which BOEMRE will review all submissions and publish a final version of the form. The issuance of a lease using this form does not signify approval to begin construction or operation of renewable energy facilities or infrastructure, BOEMRE notes, and companies must still submit applications and plans for construction and operation as required by federal regulations.
BOEMRE will review such applications in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and may require additional site- and/or project-specific stipulations and conditions in any approvals of those plans.
Comments may be submitted here by Oct. 6.
