Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced that the Minerals Management Service (MMS) will establish a new regional office in 2010 to support renewable energy development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) off the Atlantic Seaboard.
The Atlantic OCS Region will be responsible for evaluating permits for renewable energy activities. The new office will implement and manage the offshore renewable energy program, including leasing, environmental programs, the formation of task forces, state consultation and post-lease permitting in federal waters off the East Coast.
‘Given the enormous potential for renewable energy development – especially wind energy – in the Mid- and North Atlantic,’ says Salazar, ‘MMS needs a dedicated Atlantic Region office as we plan for offshore renewable energy commercial leasing.’
SOURCE: Department of the Interior
