Memorandum of Understanding
On June 29, 2010, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Department of Interior (DOI) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to coordinate deployment of offshore renewable energy technologies. The initiatives for coordination and working groups outlined are:
- Siting and Permitting,
- Standards and Technical Collaboration,
- Resource Assessments and Design Collaborations,
- Stakeholder Engagement and Information Dissemination, and
- Programmatic Goals.
The MOU and initiatives to be undertaken were showcased at a public session by the DOE, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and BOEM preceding the American Wind Energy Association North American Offshore Wind Conference and Exhibition in New Jersey in early October 2010.
Working in partnership with DOE has led to substantial cooperation on renewable energy environmental information projects. Studies underway support the needs of both agencies and the partnership has made it possible to achieve more effort than either would alone.
Coordination has led to multiple research projects and several workshops:
- In 2010, a broad Agency Announcement for Developing Environmental Protocols and Monitoring to Support Ocean Renewable Energy and Stewardship funded nearly $5 Million for 8 joint projects with DOE and NOAA.
- BOEM sponsored the Atlantic Wind Energy Workshop was conducted July 12-14, 2011.
- The DOE Wind and Water Power Program sponsored the Offshore Resource Assessment and Design Conditions Public meeting on June 23-24, 2011.
- The DOE Wind and Water Power Program sponsored the Advanced Marine Renewable Energy Instrumentation Experts Workshop, April 5-7, 2011.