The Department of the Interior has announced an offshore wind lease sale proposal in the Central Atlantic region.
The proposed lease sale includes one area offshore Delaware and Maryland, as well as one area offshore Virginia. Lease Area A-2 consists of 101,443 acres and is approximately 26.4 nm from Delaware Bay. Lease Area C-1 consists of 176,505 acres and is approximately 35 nm from the Chesapeake Bay. These areas have the potential to power over 2.2 million homes with clean energy, says the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
BOEM is seeking public comments on which, if any, of the two lease areas should be offered in a lease sale next year. These areas have the potential to power over 2.2 million homes with clean energy, says the bureau.
“Since the start of our administration, the Department of the Interior has approved the nation’s first six commercial-scale offshore wind energy projects. Today’s announcement is another step forward in the Biden-Harris administration’s pursuit of a clean energy future,” says Secretary Deb Haaland.
“We are taking action to jumpstart America’s offshore wind industry and using American innovation to deliver reliable, affordable power to homes and businesses, while also addressing the climate crisis.”
The proposed sale notice initiates a 60-day public comment period and contains information about the areas available for leasing, certain lease provisions and conditions, auction details, criteria for evaluating competing bids and procedures for lease award, appeals and lease execution.
BOEM is also seeking feedback on several lease stipulations, including providing bidding credits to bidders committed to supporting certain initiatives.
“The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will continue to work closely with our government partners and key stakeholders as we move forward with the leasing process in the Central Atlantic,” adds BOEM’s director, Elizabeth Klein. “We are excited to announce this proposed sale and underscore our commitment to explore additional areas in the Central Atlantic for potential offshore wind development.”
BOEM partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science to develop a comprehensive, ecosystem-based ocean planning model that assisted in the selection of the final WEAs.
The department has held four offshore wind lease auctions during the Biden-Harris administration, bringing in nearly $5.5 billion in high bids.
