- Project Overview
- Communications Plans
- Progress Reports
- Site Assessment Plan
- Construction & Operations Plan
- Environmental Review
Background
On December 6-7, BOEM held a competitive offshore wind energy lease sale for areas on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) off central and northern California. Equinor Wind US LLC was identified as the winner of Lease Area OCS-P 0563.
Executed OCS-P0563 Lease Document
Equinor Wind US LLC subsequently assigned the lease to Atlas Offshore Wind LLC.
For more information on this lease history, including Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force meetings, and efforts underway for the California OCS please visit the California page. For up-to-date leasing information, including any lease amendments that may have occurred since initial lease execution, visit the Lease and Grant Information page.
As required by the lease, Equinor is required to develop publicly available communications plans. Additional information is provided below.
The Native American Tribes Communications Plan describes the strategies that the Lessee intends to use for communicating with federally recognized Tribes and outlines methods for engaging with and disseminating information to federally recognized Tribes with cultural and/or historical ties to the lease area.
The Fisheries Communications Plan describes the strategies that the Lessee intends to use for communicating with commercial and recreational fisheries prior to and during activities in support of the submission of a plan, such as a Site Assessment Plan or Construction and Operations Plan. The plan includes information on the distribution of “Notice to Mariners” and other outreach and coordination. Additionally, the plan includes Equinor’s Fisheries Liaison as a primary point of contact and a process to file complaints with Equinor and seek replacement of or compensation for lost gear.
The Agency Communications Plan describes the strategies that the Lessee intends to use for communicating with federal, state, and local agencies with authority related to the lease area. The plan outlines specific methods for engaging with and disseminating information related to permits and trust resources to these agencies.
These communications plans may be updated and refined over time and the latest plans be found on Equinor’s webpage:
As required by the lease, Equinor is required to submit progress reports to BOEM every six months until approval of a Construction and Operations Plan. The intent of the progress report is to improve Lessee communication and transparency with Tribes and other parties, including:
- Coastal communities
- Commercial and recreational fishing industries
- Educational and research institutions
- Environmental and public interest non-governmental organizations
- Federal, state, and local agencies
- Federally recognized Tribes
- General public
- Mariners and the maritime industry
- Ocean users
- Submarine cable operators
- Underserved communities, as defined in Section 2 of Executive Order 13985
Additionally, the intent of the progress report is to encourage lessees to identify and engage with underserved communities, including environmental justice communities that may be disproportionately impacted by the Project’s offshore activities, to avoid, minimize, and mitigate potential adverse effects.
PROGRESS REPORT #1 - Lease # OCS-P 0563 (Equinor/Atlas Wind)
PROGRESS REPORT #2 - Lease # OCS-P 0563 (Equinor/Atlas Wind)
If you have any questions, please contact the BOEM project coordinator identified below.
BOEM project coordinator: Deanna Meier, Central CA Lease Specialist
Equinor Wind US, LLC has up to one year from lease execution (June 1, 2023) to submit a Site Assessment Plan to BOEM for review.
Equinor has not submitted a Construction and Operations Plan (COP) for BOEM review. Once a COP is submitted, BOEM will post it here.
Equinor has not submitted a Construction and Operations Plan (COP) for BOEM review. Lease-specific environmental review based on the COP will be updated here.