Overview
Under the 2007 BOEM Interim Policy for authorization of the installation of offshore data collection and technology testing facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), BOEM identified four proposed lease areas (PLAs) offshore Florida. One applicant, Florida Atlantic University Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center, submitted an Interim Policy lease application for technology testing and resource assessment within three OCS blocks in PLA 1. A lease was executed with FAU Board of Trustees, effective June 1, 2014. Materials related to this lease are provided below.
The Interim Policy Lease was relinquished on May 31, 2016.
Environmental Review
In April 2012, BOEM published an EA for a 30-day public review period. The EA considered potential environmental impacts and socioeconomic effects from issuing a lease and associated activities, including surveys, installing mooring and telemetry buoys, and testing of equipment designed to use the Florida current to generate electricity. Below are documents related to the April 2012 EA.
- Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (May 2011)
- Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment (April 2012)
- Lease Issuance for Marine Hydrokinetic Technology Testing on the Outer Continental Shelf Offshore Florida - Environmental Assessment (April 2012)
- Comments received on Environmental Assessment
After the comment period closed on the April 2012 EA, FAU SNMREC changed the scope of their proposed activities. BOEM considered the public comments, as well as potential impacts from the newly proposed activities and additional research findings, and decided to revise the EA. One revision included a new preferred alternative, Alternative C – Removal of Aliquot Containing High Slope Hard Bottom Area, which was added to avoid a potentially biologically sensitive area when conducting lease activities.
To address public comments and consider additional activities associated with the proposed action, BOEM published a revised EA and its Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
- Notice of Availability of a Revised Environmental Assessment and a Finding of No Significant Impact (August 2013)
- Lease Issuance for Marine Hydrokinetic Technology Testing on the Outer Continental Shelf Offshore Florida - Revised Environmental Assessment (includes Finding of No Significant Impact) (August 2013)
Interim Policy Lease
BOEM executed an Interim Policy lease with FAU Board of Trustees, effective on June 1, 2014. The executed lease and map of the lease area are provided below.
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/Florida-Environmental-Studies/.
Public Engagement
BOEM coordinates OCS renewable energy activities with its federal, state, local, and tribal government partners through its renewable energy task forces. 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.
- First Florida Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force Meeting (Dec. 11, 2014)
- Public Information Meeting (May 9, 2012)
Related Press Releases
- BOEM Issues First Renewable Energy Lease for Marine Hydrokinetic Technology Testing (June 2014)
- BOEM Seeks Input on an Environmental Assessment for Ocean Current Technology Testing Offshore Florida (April 2012)
- BOEMRE to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for Marine Hydrokinetic Technology Testing Offshore Florida (May 2011)