On November 23, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Abigail Ross Hopper announced a major step in spurring wind energy development in federal waters offshore South Carolina.
BOEM has issued a Call for Information and Nominations (Call) to gauge the offshore wind industry's interest in acquiring commercial wind leases in four areas offshore South Carolina, totaling more than 1,100 square miles on the Outer Continental Shelf, and to request comments regarding site conditions, resources and other uses in and near those areas. A map of the Call Areas can be found at http://www.boem.gov/South-Carolina/.
In addition to the Call, BOEM issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA). Through the Notice of Intent (NOI), BOEM is seeking public comment for determining significant issues and alternatives to be analyzed in the EA, which will consider potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with issuing commercial wind leases and approving site assessment activities on the lease areas.
BOEM has scheduled the following public information meetings to provide additional opportunities for the public to comment on the Call and the NOI.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016; 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Mason Preparatory School
56 Halsey Blvd.
Charleston, SC 29401
Wednesday January 6, 2016; 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
St. James High School
10800 SC-707
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Thursday January 7, 2016; 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Boulineau's (Second floor meeting room)
212 Sea Mountain Hwy.
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon request. Please email your request by close of business on Dec. 28.
The Call and the NOI were published in the Federal Register on November 25, 2015, and BOEM will accept public comments for 60 days (ending on January 25, 2016) via the following:
Electronically: http://www.boem.gov/Public-Engagement-Opportunities/. Click on the "Open Comment Documents" link and follow the instructions to view relevant materials and submit comments.
In written form, deliver to:
Office of Renewable Energy Programs
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
45600 Woodland Road (VAM-OREP)
Sterling, Virginia 20166
For more information about offshore wind planning efforts for South Carolina go to http://www.boem.gov/South-Carolina/.
Tracey B. Moriarty
BOEM Office of Public Affairs (Renewable Energy)
703.787.1571