Environmental Studies - Pacific

BOEM has funded a diverse array of applied and basic research about the marine, coastal, and human environments offshore California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawai'i. The environmental, social, and economic information garnered from BOEM-funded studies informs decisions about energy programs in the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), which stretches from the U.S.-Mexico border to the U.S.-Canada border and includes the OCS of Hawai'i.  Since the inception of BOEM’s Environmental Studies Program in 1973, more than 330 Pacific OCS studies have been conducted at a cost of more than $150 million. While many of these studies have been conducted to inform decisions about oil and gas development on the California OCS, regional study priorities have expanded to address information needs regarding renewable energy development throughout the Pacific OCS. 

Current Studies   

Current Pacific studies include ongoing studies (in progress) and planned new studies (scheduled to start in FY 2021).

    Completed Studies & Reports

    Completed Pacific studies are documented in technical summaries and final reports that can be accessed from the Environmental Studies Program Information System (ESPIS), an online searchable database.  ESPIS contains reports from regional studies (managed by BOEM staff in the Alaska, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Offices) and reports from programmatic studies (managed by BOEM headquarters staff). 

      Selected Research by Activity & Area

      Studies Plans

      A Studies Development Plan (SDP) is prepared annually as part of the national planning process for the Environmental Studies Program.  SDPs provide an overview of regional energy activities and projected information needs, and propose studies for funding in future fiscal years.