What's New?
BOEM plans to hold the next Gulf of Maine Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force meeting virtually on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Additional information and registration are available at Gulf of Maine.
Efforts Underway
There are several renewable energy efforts underway offshore Massachusetts.
- Gulf of Maine
- Commercial Wind Leases Offshore Massachusetts
- Beacon Wind LLC (OCS-A 520)
- Bay State Wind (OCS-A 0500)
- Vineyard Wind (OCS-A 0501)
- Mayflower Wind Energy LLC (OCS-A-0521)
- New England Wind (OCS-A 0534)(formerly Vineyard Wind South)
- Commercial Leasing within the Area of Mutual Interest Offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts
- South Fork (OCS-A 0517)
- Revolution Wind (OCS-A 0486)
- Sunrise Wind (OCS-A 0487)
- 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
- Interior Department Takes Action to Advance Offshore Wind in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico (10/28/2021)
- BOEM Announces Environmental Review of Wind Energy Project Proposed for Offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts (06/28/2021)
- BOEM Announces Environmental Review of Proposed Wind Energy Facility Offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts (04/29/2021)
- 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)