Reminder: Public Meetings on Gulf of Maine Proposed Sale Notice

05/14/2024
Contact(s)

On April 30, 2024, the Interior Department announced its Proposed Sale Notice (PSN) for the first offshore wind energy auction in the Gulf of Maine, opening a 60-day public comment period that ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on July 1, 2024.  

BOEM invites public comment on the PSN and will hold a series of in-person and virtual public meetings. Meeting information and registration is available on  BOEM's website and listed below. All times are Eastern Time (ET). 

In-person Meetings

BOEM will host three “open-house” style meetings to allow the public to talk with BOEM’s scientists and other personnel. This informal format allows people to ask questions and share information directly with BOEM employees on the Proposed Sale Notice. Registration is encouraged. 

  • Open House – Portland, Maine
    • Date: Tuesday, May 28, 2024
    • Time: 5-8 p.m.
    • Location: Holiday Inn Portland-by the Bay (88 Spring Street Portland, ME 04101)
    • Registration
  • Open House – Portsmouth, New Hampshire
    • Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
    • Time: 5-8 p.m.
    • Location: Urban Forestry Center (45 Elwyn Rd, Portsmouth, NH 03801)
    • Registration
  • Open House – Danvers, Massachusetts
    • Date: Thursday, May 30, 2024
    • Time: 5-8 p.m.
    • Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, North Shore (50 Ferncroft Rd, Danvers, MA 01923)
    • Registration

Gulf of Maine Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force

BOEM will host the fourth Gulf of Maine Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force meeting in Plymouth, MA. This meeting will be in-person and also livestreamed; however, virtual attendees will only be able to watch and listen, and not actively participate. Registration is encouraged. 

  • Task Force Meeting – Plymouth, MA
    • Date: Friday, May 31, 2024
    • Time: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
    • Location: Hotel 1620 (180 Water St, Plymouth, MA 02360)
    • Registration

Virtual Meetings

BOEM will host a series of virtual meetings for various target audiences, ranging from the general public to specific ocean user and stakeholder groups. All virtual meetings will be recorded, with recordings later posted on BOEM's website. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers focused on the Proposed Sale Notice. Registration is required. 

  • General Public
  • Commercial Fishing (Mobile & Fixed Gear)
  •  Recreational Fishing and Highly Migratory Species
  • Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (eNGOs)
    • Date: Monday, June 10, 2024
    • Time: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
    • Registration
       
  • Commercial Maritime (Shipping)

More information on the public meetings can be found on BOEM’s website.

How to Submit Comments

  • Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket No. BOEM-2024-0026 to submit public comments and view supporting and related materials available for this notice.  Click on the “Comment” button below the document link.  Enter your information and comment, then click “Submit Comment”; or
  • By U.S. Postal Service or other delivery service: Send your comments and information to the following address: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, Mail Stop VAM-OREP, Sterling, VA 20166. 

-- BOEM --

The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) manages development of U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) energy, mineral, and geological resources in an environmentally and economically responsible way.