Overview
There are several renewable energy efforts underway offshore Massachusetts. For more information about these projects, click on the links below.
- Commercial Wind Leases Offshore Massachusetts
- Commercial Leasing within the Area of Mutual Interest Offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts
- Cape Wind Project (Relinquished)
- Commercial Leases OCS-A 0520, 0521, and 0522
Gulf of Maine Task Force
In January of 2019, Governor Christopher Sununu of the State of New Hampshire requested the establishment of an intergovernmental offshore wind renewable energy Task Force for the state. Given the regional nature of offshore wind energy development, BOEM has decided to establish a Gulf of Maine Task Force – including representation from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and federally recognized Tribes in the area. For more information, please visit: https://www.boem.gov/Gulf-of-Maine
Environmental Studies
BOEM has funded or considered numerous studies to collect information about the marine environment to support decisions concerning offshore renewable energy development. For more information, please visit: http://www.boem.gov/Massachusetts-Environmental-Studies.
Public Engagement
BOEM coordinates Outer Continental Shelf renewable energy activities offshore Massachusetts with its federal, state, local, and tribal government partners through its Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force. BOEM also coordinates public information meetings to help keep interested stakeholders updated on major renewable energy milestones. To obtain information discussed during these meetings click on the links below.
Visual Simulations
In response to stakeholder interest regarding visual impacts from potential future renewable energy development within the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Wind Energy Areas, BOEM undertook a project to develop daytime and nighttime photomontages and 24 hour day-through-night videos to simulate what turbines might look like if these six lease areas were fully developed.
Related Press Releases
- BIDDING BONANZA! Trump Administration Smashes Record for Offshore Wind Auction with $405 Million in Winning Bids (12/14/2018)
- BOEM Announces Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Proposed Wind Energy Facility Offshore Massachusetts (11/30/2018)
- Trump Administration Delivers Historic Progress on Offshore Wind (10/18/2018)
- Trump Administration Proposes Sale for Wind Energy Off Massachusetts Coast (04/06/2018)
- BOEM and MassCEC Release Marine Wildlife Survey Results to Guide Offshore Wind Development (10/25/2016)
- Interior Department Leases Area Offshore Massachusetts for Wind Energy Development(1/29/2015)
- Interior to Auction More Than 742,000 Acres Offshore Massachusetts for Wind Energy Development (11/24/2014)
- Secretary Jewell, Governor Patrick Announced the Nation's Largest Offshore Wind Energy Area Available for Commercial Development (6/17/2014)
- Interior Holds First-Ever Competitive Lease Sale for Renewable Energy in Federal Waters(7/31/2013)
- BOEM Identifies Wind Energy Area Offshore Massachusetts for Potential Commercial Leasing (5/30/2012)
- Obama Administration Initiates Leasing Process for Commercial Wind Development Offshore Massachusetts (2/3/2012)
- BOEMRE Initiates Leasing Process for Commercial Wind Development Offshore Massachusetts (12/28/2010)
- Salazar Launches 'Smart from the Start' Initiative to Speed Offshore Wind Energy Development off the Atlantic Coast (11/23/2010)