State Energy And Environment And BOEM Officials Convene Public Meetings On The Offshore Wind Development Process

Officials of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) will participate in a U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) public informational meeting in New Bedford on Tuesday, July 17, 2012. The purpose of the meeting is to receive public comment on BOEM’s Environmental Assessment for the potential development of offshore wind energy projects in the Massachusetts - Rhode Island Wind Energy Area and discuss next steps in the BOEM leasing process. The Environmental Assessment was released for public review and comment on July 2, 2012. The session will include presentations from BOEM followed by a public comment period.

In addition, EEA will host fisheries and habitat working group meetings on offshore renewable energy on July 17, 2012 in New Bedford. Both working groups were formed by EEA to inform the public about the federal offshore wind development process.

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Director Tommy Beaudreau EEA Assistant Secretary for Federal Affairs Bill White Office of Coastal Zone Management Director Bruce Carlisle Division of Marine Fisheries Deputy Director David Pierce

Fairfield Inn & Suites, 185 MacArthur Drive, New Bedford

New Bedford City Hall, 133 William Street, Room 314, New Bedford

New Bedford City Hall, 133 William Street, The Ashley Room, New Bedford

New Bedford City Hall, 133 William Street, Room 314, New Bedford