BOEM Extends Public Comment Period For Wind Energy Offshore North Carolina

Contact:Tracey Moriarty:703-787-1571

As part of the Obama Administration's all-of-the-above energy strategy to continue expansion of domestic energy development, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced today it is extending the comment period on its Call for Information and Nominations (Call) for Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf Offshore North Carolina. The Call is gauging the offshore wind industry's interest in acquiring commercial wind leases in three areas offshore North Carolina and to request comments regarding site conditions, resources, vessel traffic, visual impacts and other uses within the Call areas.

BOEM is also extending the public comment period on its Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA). Through the NOI, BOEM is seeking public comment for determining significant issues and alternatives to be analyzed in the EA, which will consider potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with issuing commercial wind leases and approving site assessment and site characterization activities on the lease areas.

The Call and the NOI were originally published in the Federal Register on December 13, 2012, for a 45-day comment period that ended on Jan. 28, 2013. BOEM extended the comment period for the Notices at the request of stakeholders seeking more time to submit comments.

The comment period for the Call and NOI will now end on Mar. 7, 2013.

Comments may be submitted by one of two methods:

1. Submitted electronically at: http://www.regulations. gov/#!docketDetail;D=BOEM- 2012-0088 for the Call and http://www.regulations. gov/#!docketDetail;D=BOEM- 2012-0090 for the NOI.
2. Delivered in an envelope labeled "Call for Information and Nominations for Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf Offshore North Carolina" or ''Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for Commercial Wind Leasing and Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf Offshore North Carolina'' to:

See more information about BOEM's efforts to inform stakeholders about North Carolina offshore wind energy.      

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) promotes energy independence, environmental protection and economic development through responsible, science-based management of offshore conventional and renewable energy resources.