Gulf of Mexico Activities

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What's New?

On July 20, the Department of the Interior announced it is seeking public comments on two draft Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in the Gulf of Mexico. The first draft WEA is located approximately 24 nautical miles (nm) off the coast of Galveston, TX, covers a total of 546,645 acres, and has the potential to power 2.3 million homes with clean wind energy. The second draft WEA is located approximately 56 nm off the coast of Lake Charles, LA, covers a total of 188,023 acres, and has the potential to power 799,000 homes. Public comments on the draft WEAs will be accepted until September 2, 2022 at 11:59 pm Central Standard Time. Information for how to provide comments can be found on this page: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/gulf-mexico-wea.

In addition to the draft WEAs, BOEM has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) covering the entire Call Area to consider the potential impacts from site characterization (e.g., marine mammal surveys) and site assessment (e.g. installation of meteorological buoys) activities expected to take place following lease issuance. Public comments on the draft EA will also be accepted until September 2, 2022 at 11:59 pm Central Standard Time. Information on how to provide comments can be found on this page: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/gulf-mexico-draft-ea.

Public Engagement

Announcements

Wind Energy Identification

On July 20, the Department of the Interior announced it is seeking public comments on two draft Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in the Gulf of Mexico. The first draft WEA is located approximately 24 nautical miles (nm) off the coast of Galveston, TX, covers a total of 546,645 acres, and has the potential to power 2.3 million homes with clean wind energy. The second draft WEA is located approximately 56 nm off the coast of Lake Charles, LA, covers a total of 188,023 acres, and has the potential to power 799,000 homes. Public comments on the draft WEAs will be accepted for 30 days beginning July 20, 2022. Information for how to provide comments can be found on this page: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/gulf-mexico-wea.

Environmental Review

BOEM also announced on Jan. 11, 2022 that it is preparing a draft environmental assessment (EA) to consider potential offshore wind leasing in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  The draft EA considers potential environmental consequences of site characterization activities (i.e., biological, archeological and geological, as well as geophysical surveys and core samples) and site assessment activities (i.e., installation of meteorological buoys) associated with the possibility of issuing wind energy leases in the Western and Central Gulf of Mexico. More information can be found on this page: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/gulf-mexico-draft-ea

Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Summit

BOEM hosted four, sector-specific Gulf of Mexico Fisheries workshops January 19-20, 2022. Stakeholders shared information and discussed issues as BOEM prepares for development of potential wind energy areas and environmental reviews for offshore wind projects in the Gulf of Mexico. For more information on the meetings, go to https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/gulf-mexico-fisheries-summit.

Call for Information and Nominations (Call)

The Call Area consists of almost 30 million acres just west of the Mississippi River to the Texas/Mexican border.  

Before deciding whether and where leases may be issued, BOEM will consider the comments received on the Call, conduct an environmental review as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, and consult with appropriate Tribes, federal and state agencies to consider the environmental consequences associated with issuing commercial wind energy leases within the Call Area. After completion of its environmental review, BOEM will consider the existing uses of the Call Area, as well as feedback from the GOM Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force and the public. BOEM will then decide whether to publish a PSN to describe the areas available for potential leasing and the proposed terms and conditions of the leases. There will be multiple opportunities for public input throughout this process.

Request for Interest (RFI)

BOEM published Request for Interest (RFI) in the Federal Register on June 11, 2021, to assess interest in potential offshore wind development in the OCS. The RFI focused on the Western and Central Planning Areas of the Gulf of Mexico offshore the states of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama.  
 
During the comment period, BOEM convened its first Renewable Energy Task Force Meetings on June 15 to discuss the RFI and help coordinate planning, solicit feedback, and exchange scientific and process information. 
 
The RFI comment period closed on July 26, 2021, and 39 comments were received in response. BOEM determined that competitive interest exists for an area identified by the RFI. As such, BOEM will publish a Call for Information and Nominations (Call) to further assess commercial interest in, and invite public comment on, possible commercial wind energy leasing in a proposed area within the RFI area.