Departure Requests

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management may approve departures from operating requirements/procedures in its regulations when such departures are necessary to properly develop a lease; conserve natural resources, or protect life, property, or the marine, coastal, or human environment.

§ 585.103 When may BOEM prescribe or approve departures from these regulations?

  1. BOEM may prescribe or approve departures from these regulations when departures are necessary to:
    1. Facilitate the appropriate activities on a lease or grant under this part;
    2. Conserve natural resources;
    3. Protect life (including human and wildlife), property, or the marine, coastal, or human environment; or
    4. Protect sites, structures, or objects of historical or archaeological significance.
  2. Any departure approved under this section and its rationale must:
    1. Be consistent with subsection 8(p) of the OCS Lands Act;
    2. Protect the environment and the public health and safety to the same degree as if there was no approved departure from the regulations;
    3. Not impair the rights of third parties; and
    4. Be documented in writing.
LeaseProjectStateLesseeDeparture Approval LetterDate IssuedTopic AreaRegulationRequest
OCS-A 0561New England Wind 2MACommonwealth Wind, LLC Approval Letter4/22/2021Geotech30 C.F.R. § 585.626(a)(4)(ii) and (iii)Depart from the requirement(s) to the submit: (1) the results of adequate in situ testing, boring, and sampling at each foundation location; and, (2) the results of a minimum of one deep boring (with soil sampling and testing) at each edge of the project area and within the project area as needed with the Construction and Operations Plan (COP).
OCS-A 0534New England Wind 1MAPark City Wind LLCApproval Letter4/22/2021Geotech30 C.F.R. § 585.626(a)(4)(ii) and (iii)Depart from the requirement(s) to the submit: (1) the results of adequate in situ testing, boring, and sampling at each foundation location; and, (2) the results of a minimum of one deep boring (with soil sampling and testing) at each edge of the project area and within the project area as needed with the Construction and Operations Plan (COP).
OCS-A 0501Vineyard Wind 1MAVineyard Wind 1 LLC

Approval Letter

Accessible Version

06/15/2021Financial  Assurance30 CFR § 585.626(a)(4)(ii)Depart from the requirement to provide financial assurance for decommissioning costs before the installation of facilities on their lease.
OCS-A 0486Revolution WindRI/MARevolution Wind, LLC (Ørsted/Evers ource)Approval Letter03/04/24Financial Assurance30 C.F.R. § 585.516(a)(4)Depart from the requirement to provide financial assurance for decommissioning costs before the installation of facilities on their lease.
OCS-A 0549Atlantic Shores NorthNJAtlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLCApproval Letter08/07/23Geotech    30 C.F.R. § 585.626(a)(4)(ii) and (iii)Depart from the requirement(s) to the submit: (1) the results of adequate in situ testing, boring, and sampling at each foundation location; and, (2) the results of a minimum of one deep boring (with soil sampling and testing) at each edge of the project area and within the project area as needed with the Construction and Operations Plan (COP).
OCS-A 0520Beacon Wind    NYBeacon Wind, LLCApproval Letter06/15/23Geotech30 CFR § 585.626(a)(4)(ii)Depart from the requirement to submit  in situ testing, boring, and sampling at each foundation location, to allow for submittal with the FDR/FIR
OCS-A 0508Kitty Hawk Wind SouthNCKitty Hawk Wind, LLC

Approval Letter

Decommissioning Approval

03/06/23Geotech30 CFR § 585.626(a)(4)(ii)Depart from the requirement to submit  in situ testing, boring, and sampling at each foundation location, to allow for submittal with the FDR/FIR
OCS-A 0483CVOWVA
Virginia Electric and Power Company (Dominion)

Decommissioning Approval

Geotech Approval

10/27/22Decommissioning
30 C.F.R. § 585.908(a)
Depart from the requirement to submit a decommissioning notice at least 60 days in advance of commencing decommissioning activities and only after the decommissioning application is approved.
OCS-A 0521SouthCoast Wind (formerly Mayflower Wind)MASouthCoast Wind Energy LLCApproval Letter06/16/22Decommissioning30 C.F.R. § 585.908(a)Depart from the requirement to submit a decommissioning notice at least 60 days in advance of commencing decommissioning activities and only after the decommissioning application is approved.
OCS-A 0508Kitty Hawk Wind SouthNCKitty Hawk Wind, LLC

Approval Letter

Decommissioning Approval

11/17/22Decommissioning30 C.F.R. §§ 585.902(d) and 585.908(a)Depart from the requirement(s) to 1) submit a decommissioning notice at least 60 days before commencing decommissioning activities; and 2) that the decommissioning notice be distinct from and submitted following approval of a decommissioning application.
OCS-A 0517 South Fork Wind FarmNY/RI/MA   South Fork Wind, LLC (Ørsted/Evers ource)Approval Letter08/19/22Financial Assurance30 C.F.R. § 585.516(a)(4)Depart from the requirement to provide financial assurance for decommissioning costs before the installation of facilities on their lease.
OCS-A 0483CVOWVAVirginia Electric and Power Company (Dominion)

Approval Letter

Decommissioning Approval

 03/22/23Geotech
30 C.F.R. § 585.626(a)(4)(ii) and (iii)
Depart from the requirement(s) to the submit: (1) the results of adequate in situ testing, boring, and sampling at each foundation location; and, (2) the results of a minimum of one deep boring (with soil sampling and testing) at each edge of the project area and within the project area as needed with the Construction and Operations Plan (COP).
OCS-A 0490TBDMDUS Wind, IncApproval Letter03/30/22Geotech30 CFR § 585.626(a)(4)(ii)Depart from the requirement to submit  in situ testing, boring, and sampling at each foundation location, to allow for submittal with the FDR/FIR
OCS-A 0499Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind ProjectNJAtlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLCApproval Letter03/09/23Geotech30 C.F.R. § 585.626(a)(4)(ii) and (iii)Depart from the requirement(s) to the submit: (1) the results of adequate in situ testing, boring, and sampling at each foundation location; and, (2) the results of a minimum of one deep boring (with soil sampling and testing) at each edge of the project area and within the project area as needed with the Construction and Operations Plan (COP).
OCS-A 0508Kitty Hawk Wind ProjectNCAvangrid Renewables, LLCApproval Letter09/17/21Geotech30 CFR § 585.626(a)(4)(ii)Depart from the requirement to submit  in situ testing, boring, and sampling at each foundation location, to allow for submittal with the FDR/FIR
OCS-A 0486Revolution WindRI/MARevolution Wind, LLC (Ørsted/Evers ource)Approval Letter08/13/21Decommissioning30 C.F.R. §§ 585.902(d) and 585.908(a)Depart from the requirement(s) to 1) submit a decommissioning notice at least 60 days before commencing decommissioning activities; and 2) that the decommissioning notice be distinct from and submitted following approval of a decommissioning application.
OCS-A 0520Beacon WindMAEquinor Wind US LLC

*Departure not required

Accessible Version

12/31/2022Fabrication30 C.F.R. § 585.700(b)

Commence fabrication of facility components prior to the non-objection of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to your Facility Design Report (FDR) and Fabrication and installation Report (FIR).

OCS-A 0517South Fork Wind FarmNY/RI/MASouth Fork Wind, LLC (Ørsted/Evers ource)

*Departure not required

Accessible Version

12/31/2022Fabrication30 C.F.R. § 585.700(b)Commence fabrication of facility components prior to the non-objection of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to your Facility Design Report (FDR) and Fabrication and installation Report (FIR).
OCS-A 0483Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind VAVirginia Electric and Power Company (Dominion Energy, Inc.)

*Departure not required

Accessible Version

12/31/2022Fabrication30 C.F.R. § 585.700(b)Commence fabrication of facility components prior to the non-objection of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to your Facility Design Report (FDR) and Fabrication and installation Report (FIR).
OCS-A 0483Sunrise WindRI/MASunrise Wind LLC (Ørsted, Eversource Energy)

*Departure not required

Accessible Version

12/31/2022Fabrication30 C.F.R. § 585.700(b)Commence fabrication of facility components prior to the non-objection of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to your Facility Design Report (FDR) and Fabrication and installation Report (FIR).
OCS-A 0486Revolution WindRI/MA
 
Revolution Wind, LLC (Ørsted/Evers ource)

*Departure not required

Accessible Version

12/31/2022Fabrication30 C.F.R. § 585.700(b)Commence fabrication of facility components prior to the non-objection of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to your Facility Design Report (FDR) and Fabrication and installation Report (FIR).
OCS-A 0498Ocean WindNJOcean Wind LLC (Ørsted)

*Departure not required

Accessible Version

12/31/2022Fabrication30 C.F.R. § 585.700(b)Commence fabrication of facility components prior to the non-objection of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to your Facility Design Report (FDR) and Fabrication and installation Report (FIR).
OCS-A 0521SouthCoast Wind (formerly Mayflower Wind)MASouthCoast Wind Energy LLC

Approval Letter

Accessible Version

10/04/2021In situ testing,
boring, and sampling
30 C.F.R. § 585.626(a)(4)(ii)SouthCoast requested to submit the required geotechnical information at each foundation location with the Facility Design Report (FDR)
OCS-A 0534New England WindMAPark City Wind LLC

Approval Letter

Accessible Version

6/15/2021Financial Assurance30 C.F.R. § 585.516(a)(4),Depart from the requirement to provide financial assurance for decommissioning costs before the installation of facilities on their lease.
OCS-A 0501 Vineyard Wind I MA Vineyard Wind LLC 

Approval Letter

Accessible Version

6/28/2021 Facility Design Report/Fabrication and Installation Report 30 CFR 700 (b) Allow for fabrication of approved facilities to begin before  BOEM provides notification that it has received and has no objections to the submitted Facility Design Report (FDR) and Fabrication and Installation Report (FIR). 
OCS-A 0487 Sunrise Wind RIMA Sunrise Wind LLC (Ørsted, Eversource Energy) 

Approval Letter

Accessible Version

4/26/2021 Geotech  30 CFR 585.626(a)(4)(ii) and (iii) Depart from the requirement to submit in situ testing, boring, and sampling at each foundation location; as well as a minimum of one deep boring (with soil sampling and testing) at each edge of the project area and within the project area as part of its COP for the proposed project. 
OCS-A 0501 (South) Phase 2  New England Wind  MA Park City Wind LLC 

Approval Letter

Accessible Version

4/28/2021 Construction and Operations Plan 30 CFR 585.626(b)(20) Depart from the requirement to include a nomination for a Certified Verification Agent (CVA)  in the Construction and Operations Plan (COP).  For Phase 2 Only. 
OCS-A 0486 Revolution Wind RI DWW Rev I, LLC 

Approval Letter

Accessible Version

1/27/2021 Geotech 585.626(a)(4)(ii) and (iii) Depart from the requirement to submit in situ testing, boring, and sampling at each foundation location; as well as a minimum of one deep boring (with soil sampling and testing) at each edge of the project area and within the project area as part of its COP for the proposed project. 
OCS-A 0478
(Relinquished
May 2018)
Cape WindMACape Wind Associates (CWA)

Cape Wind Associates

Accessible Version

7/9/2014Facility Design Report/Fabrication and Installation Report30 CFR 701(a)(2)Allow submission of a location plat using a scale of 1 inch =4000 feet instead of the required 1 inch=100 feet in the FDR.
OCS-A 0489TBDMDUS Wind (Renexia)

OCS-A 0489 Financial Assurance

Accessible Version

5/4/2018Financial Assurance30 CFR 585.533(b)(2)Depart from the requirement for BOEM to hold a surety or collateral financial assurance for lease OCS-A 0489 until, at minimum, 7 years after the lease's termination.
OCS-A 0489TBDMDUS Wind (Renexia)

OCS-A-0490

Accessible Version

11/6/2014Payments30 CFR 585.503(a)(1)Allow a 10-day extension of the set deadline to make the first year's rent payment for both leases
OCS-A 0490TBDMDUS Wind (Renexia)

OCS-A-0490

Accessible Version

11/6/2014Payments30 CFR 585.503(a)(1)Allow a 10-day extension of the set deadline to make the first year's rent payment for both leases
OCS-A 0521SouthCoast Wind (formerly Mayflower Wind)MASouthCoast Wind Energy LLC

OCS-A-0521

Accessible Version

11/25/2020Facility Design, Fabrication, and Installation30 C.F.R. § 700(b)Depart from the requirement that prohibits fabrication and installation of facilities before project plan approval.
OCS-A 0512
 
Empire WindNYEquinor Wind US LLC

OCS-A-0512

Accessible Version

11/03/2020Facility Design Report/Fabrication and Installation Report30 CFR § 585.626(a)(4)(ii)Depart from the requirement to provide detailed in situ geotechnical data at each proposed foundation location at the time of Construction and Operations Plan (COP) submittal.
OCS-A 0512Empire WindNYEquinor

OCS-A-0512

Accessible Version

5/7/2020Facility Design, Fabrication, and Installation30 C.F.R. §§ 585.700(b), 585.702(c), and 585.708BOEM issued departures from 30 C.F.R. §§ 585.700(b), 585.702(c), and 585.708 to allow the offsite fabrication of certain project components for lease OCS-A 512 prior to BOEM’s decision regarding the Construction and Operations Plan (COP) and approval of the certified verification agent. Issuance of the departures does not allow fabrication or installation activities on the Outer Continental Shelf, nor limits BOEM’s right to object to the fabrication of said structures if a COP is approved and the corresponding Facility Design Report and Fabrication and Installation Report are submitted.  The departures apply to Equinor Wind’s fabrication of (i) inter-array cables, (ii) secondary steel and internal and external work platforms for transition pieces for wind turbine generator (WTG) foundations, and (iii) davit cranes for WTG foundations.
OCS-A 0500Bay State WindMABay State Wind (Orsted, Eversource Energy)

OCS-A 0500 Departure Request Notice

Accessible Version

5/10/18Decommissioning30 C.F.R. § 585.902(d) and § 585.908(a)BOEM issued a departure from the requirement 30 C.F.R. § 585.902(d) and § 585.908(a) to submit its decommissioning notice at least 60 days in advance of commencing decommissioning activities and only after the decommissioning application is approved.
OCS-A 0500Bay State WindMABay State Wind (Orsted, Eversource Energy)

OCS-A 0500 Approval Letter

Accessible Version

5/10/18Decommissioning30 C.F.R. § 585.902(d) and § 585.908(a)BOEM issued a departure from the requirement 30 C.F.R. § 585.902(d) and § 585.908(a) to submit its decommissioning notice at least 60 days in advance of commencing decommissioning activities and only after the decommissioning application is approved.
OCS-A 0500Bay State WindMABay State Wind (Orsted, Eversource Energy)

OCS-A 0500 (Geotech)

Accessible Version

4/9/2019Geotech30 CFR 585.626(a)(4)(ii) and (iii),Depart from the requirement(s) to the submit: (1) the results of adequate in situ testing, boring, and sampling at each foundation location; and, (2) the results of a minimum of one deep boring (with soil sampling and testing) at each edge of the project area and within the project area as needed with the Construction and Operations Plan (COP).
OCS-A 0500Bay State WindMABay State Wind (Orsted, Eversource Energy)

OCS-A 0500 (COP)

Accessible Version

8/12/2019Construction and Operations Plan30 CFR 585.626(a)(4)(ii) and (iii),Depart from the requirement(s) to submit: (1) the results of adequate in situ testing, boring, and sampling at each foundation location; and, (2) the results of a minimum of one deep boring (with soil sampling and testing) at each edge of the project area and within the project area as needed with the Construction and Operations Plan (COP). Additionally, the Lessee is requesting that it conduct and submit the results of the full the investigation surveys conducted and reported after COP approval, but prior to construction, as part of the required Facility Design Report (FDR).
OCS-A 0501Vineyard WindMAVineyard Wind LLC

OCS-A 0501 Approval Letter

Accessible Version

11/25/2020Decommissioning30 C.F.R. § 585.908(a),Depart from the requirement to 1) submit and receive approval of a decommissioning application before the submittal of a decommissioning notice; and 2) submit a decommissioning notice at least 60 days before commencing decommissioning activities.
OCS-A 0501Vineyard WindMAVineyard Wind (Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Avangrid Renewables)

OCS-A 0501

Accessible Version

1/9/2018Construction and Operations Plan30 CFR 585.626(a)(4)(ii); (a)(2); (a)(5); and (a)(6)"Depart from the requirement(s) to submit: (1) (Geotechnical survey results) “requiring that a COP, when submitted, contain the results of ‘in situ testing, boring, and sampling at each foundation location...’” Submit incomplete archaeological information with the COP (2) (Geological survey relevant to facility design and siting) “to the extent that this section requires, with COP submission, geophysical surveys results of inter-array and export cable routes.” (3) (Archaeological resources) “to the extent that this section requires with COP submission, for archeological purposes, geophysical surveys at each turbine location and along inter-array and export cable routes.” • Although Vineyard Wind did not request it, BOEM prescribes a departure from § 585.627(a)(6) to effectuate Vineyard Wind’s request to submit incomplete archaeological survey information with the COP."
OCS-A 0506Sea2ShoreRIThe Narragansett Electric Company (d/b/a National Grid)

OCS-A 0506

Accessible Version

3/7/2016Facility Design Report/Fabrication and Installation Report30 CFR 585.701(a)(2)Allow submission of a location plat using a scale of 1 inch =40 feet (vertically) and 1 inch= 400 feet (horizontally) instead of the required 1 inch=100 feet in the FDR.
 Atlantic Wind ConnectionVirginia
to New Jersey/New York City
Atlantic Grid Holdings LLC

AGH GAP

Accessible Version

12/13/2013Right of Way/Right of Use and Easement Grant30 CFR 585.306(b)Allow additional time to submit a GAP

LeaseProjectStateLesseeDeparture Approval LetterDate IssuedTopic AreaRegulationRequest
OCS-P 00180
OCS-P 00181
OCS-P 00182
OCS-P 00183
OCS-P 00187
OCS-P 00188
OCS-P 00189
OCS-P 00190
OCS-P 00191
OCS-P 00192
OCS-P 00193
OCS-P 00194
OCS-P 00195
OCS-P 00326
OCS-P 00329
OCS-P 00461
Santa Ynez UnitCaliforniaExxon Mobil CorporationSanta Ynez Unit, SYU (Fields Hondo, Pescado and Sacate)02/10/2016Reservoir Management (Subpart K – Oil & Gas production Requirements)30 CFR 550.1153 (a)Depart from the Bottomhole Pressure Survey Report submissions due to the shut-in of the Santa Ynez Unit, SYU (Fields: Hondo, Pescado and Sacate)
OCS-P 00180
OCS-P 00181
OCS-P 00182
OCS-P 00183
OCS-P 00187
OCS-P 00188
OCS-P 00189
OCS-P 00190
OCS-P 00191
OCS-P 00192
OCS-P 00193
OCS-P 00194
OCS-P 00195
OCS-P 00326
OCS-P 00329
OCS-P 00461
Santa Ynez UnitCaliforniaExxon Mobil CorporationSanta Ynez Unit, SYU (Fields Hondo, Pescado and Sacate)02/10/2016Reservoir Management (Subpart K – Oil & Gas production Requirements)30 CFR 550.1155Depart from the Sensitive Reservoir Information Reports submission due to the shut-in of the Santa Ynez Unit, SYU (Fields: Hondo, Pescado and Sacate)