- Fifth Taskforce Meeting
- Fourth Task Force Meeting
- Third Task Force Meeting
- Second Task Force Meeting
- First Task Force Meeting
Background and Purpose
BOEM held its fifth Gulf of Mexico Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force meeting on April 18, 2024. Established in 2021, the Task Force is a partnership between federal, state, and local agencies and Tribal governments tasked with coordinating renewable energy planning activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico. It serves as a forum to discuss stakeholder issues, exchange data and information about ocean use and resources, and facilitate collaboration opportunities.
The purpose of the meeting was to update task force members on offshore wind energy planning activities and to discuss next steps in the BOEM leasing process, including the recently announced proposal for the second offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, the meeting aimed to:
- Facilitate coordination and consultation among federal, state, local, and tribal governments regarding offshore wind energy and the renewable energy leasing process on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Update the Task Force members and stakeholders on recent state activities.
- Provide an overview and seek in-depth feedback on the Proposed Sale Notice and related auction format.
- Provide forum for discussion and information to ensure BOEM is informed about TF members' interests.
- Provide opportunities for public input about the topics being considered by the Task Force.
Meeting Materials
- Task Force Meeting Agenda
- Task Force Meeting Roster
- Gulf of Mexico Task Force State Memo
- Gulf of Mexico Task Force BOEM Charter
- Task Force Meeting Summary
- Presentation
- Meeting Recording
Posters/Resources
- Gulf of Mexico Questions and Answers
- Potential Offshore Wind Foundations
- The BOEM Renewable Energy Process
- Renewable Energy Fact Sheet
- Wind Energy Commercial Leasing Process
- A Citizen's Guide to the BOEM Renewable Energy Authorization Process
- Regulatory Framework and Guidelines
- Offshore Wind in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico: Regional Economic Modeling & Site-Specific Analyses
- Offshore Renewable Energy Technologies in the Gulf of Mexico
- Fisheries FAQ's
Background and Purpose
BOEM held its fourth Gulf of Mexico Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force meeting on April 11, 2023. Established in 2021, the Task Force is a partnership between federal, state, and local agencies and Tribal governments tasked with coordinating renewable energy planning activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico. It serves as a forum to discuss stakeholder issues, exchange data and information about ocean use and resources, and facilitate collaboration opportunities.
The purpose of the meeting was to present information on the Proposed Sale Notice (PSN); additionally, this meeting aimed to:
- Facilitate coordination and consultation among federal, state, local, and tribal governments regarding offshore wind energy and the renewable energy leasing process on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Update the Task Force members and stakeholders on recent state activities.
- Provide an overview and seek in-depth feedback on the Proposed Sale Notice and related auction format.
- Provide forum for discussion and information to ensure BOEM is informed about TF members' interests.
- Provide opportunities for public input about the topics being considered by the Task Force.
Commenting closed on April 25, 2023. Comments can be viewed at www.regulations.gov and searching for docket number BOEM-2023-0021.
Meeting Materials
- Task Force Meeting Agenda
- Task Force Meeting Roster
- Gulf of Mexico Task Force State Memo
- Gulf of Mexico Task Force BOEM Charter
- Task Force Meeting Summary
- Presentation
- Meeting Recording
Posters/Resources
- Gulf of Mexico Questions and Answers
- Potential Offshore Wind Foundations
- The BOEM Renewable Energy Process
- Renewable Energy Fact Sheet
- Wind Energy Commercial Leasing Process
- A Citizen's Guide to the BOEM Renewable Energy Authorization Process
- Regulatory Framework and Guidelines
- Offshore Wind in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico: Regional Economic Modeling & Site-Specific Analyses
- Offshore Renewable Energy Technologies in the Gulf of Mexico
- Fisheries FAQ's
Background and Purpose
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) held its third Gulf of Mexico Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force meeting on July 27, 2022. The Task Force is a partnership between federal, state, and local agencies and Tribal governments tasked with coordinating renewable energy planning activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico. It serves as a forum to discuss stakeholder issues, exchanges data, and information about ocean use and resources, and facilitate collaboration opportunities.
The purpose of the meeting was to present the potential areas identified in federal waters offshore the Gulf of Mexico that may be suitable for offshore renewable energy development. The Task Force will provides critical information to the decision-making process. Specifically, this meeting will aim to:
- Facilitate coordination and consultation among federal, state, local, and tribal governments regarding offshore wind energy and the renewable energy leasing process on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Update the Task Force and stakeholders on recent state activities.
- Provide an overview of and seek in-depth feedback on the proposed Wind Energy Areas (WEA).
- Provide an overview and feedback on the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to consider the potential impacts from issuance of offshore wind energy leases within 30-million-acres just west of the Mississippi River to the Texas/Mexican border
- Provide forum for discussion and information to ensure BOEM is informed about TF members' interests
- Provide opportunities for public input about the topics being considered by the Task Force.
Meeting Materials
- Meeting Summary
- Task Force Meeting Agenda
- Lease Issuance Draft Environmental Assessment
- Task Force Meeting Roster
- Gulf of Mexico Task Force State Memo
- Gulf of Mexico Task Force BOEM Charter
- Draft WEAs
- Draft Environmental Assessment
Posters/Resources
- Gulf of Mexico Questions and Answers
- Potential Offshore Wind Foundations
- The BOEM Renewable Energy Process
- Renewable Energy Fact Sheet
- Wind Energy Commercial Leasing Process
- A Citizen's Guide to the BOEM Renewable Energy Authorization Process
- Regulatory Framework and Guidelines
- Offshore Wind in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico: Regional Economic
Modeling & Site-Specific Analyses - Offshore Renewable Energy Technologies in the Gulf of Mexico
- Fisheries FAQ's
| Topic | Presentation Title | Presenter | Resources |
| Welcome & Opening Remarks |
|
Task Force Meeting Overview
|
|
Discuss Draft GOM Renewable Energy Environmental Assessment (EA)
Discuss Draft GOM Renewable Energy Wind Energy Areas (WEAs)
|
|
Task Force Member Updates (70 min)
|
|
| Next Steps and Closing Remarks |
|
Public Input Opportunity and Discussion
| |
Background and Purpose
BOEM held its second virtual Gulf of Mexico Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force meeting on February 2, 2022. Established last year, the Task Force is a partnership between federal, state, and local agencies and Tribal governments tasked with coordinating renewable energy planning activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico. It serves as a forum to discuss stakeholder issues, exchanges data, and information about ocean use and resources, and facilitate collaboration opportunities.
The purpose of the meeting was to present the potential areas identified in federal waters offshore the Gulf of Mexico that may be suitable for offshore renewable energy development, and this Task Force provides critical information to the decision-making process.
Meeting Materials
- Task Force Meeting Agenda
- Task Force Meeting Roster
- Gulf of Mexico Task Force State Memo
- Gulf of Mexico Task Force BOEM Charter
- Task Force Meeting Summary
Posters/Resources
- Gulf of Mexico Questions and Answers
- Potential Offshore Wind Foundations
- The BOEM Renewable Energy Process
- Renewable Energy Fact Sheet
- Wind Energy Commercial Leasing Process
- A Citizen's Guide to the BOEM Renewable Energy Authorization Process
- Regulatory Framework and Guidelines
- Offshore Wind in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico: Regional Economic
Modeling & Site-Specific Analyses - Offshore Renewable Energy Technologies in the Gulf of Mexico
- Fisheries FAQ's
| Topic | Presentation Title | Presenter | Resources |
Welcome & Opening Remarks Task Force Meeting Overview
| Mike Celata, Regional Director, BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region Tribal Invocation |
Update on Outer Continental Shelf Wind Energy Leasing in the Gulf of Mexico – Call for Information and Wind Energy Areas
| BOEM Renewable Energy Overview & Leasing Process Review – Tershara Matthews, BOEM | PDF Environmental Review Process – Michelle Nannen, BOEM | PDF Marine Spatial Analyses to Inform Wind Energy Siting in the Gulf of Mexico – James Morris, NOAA | PDF |
| Report Out from Breakout Sessions and Task Force Discussion | All Task Force Members | BOEM Task Force Meeting February 2022 Segment 3 |
Public Input Opportunity and Discussion Overview of Action Items and Closing Remarks
| Opportunity for public input on topics under Task Force discussion Mike Celata, Regional Director, BOEM Gulf of Mexico Office |
Background and Purpose
BOEM held its first GOM Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force meeting on June 15, 2021. This task force is chartered to facilitate coordination and consultation related to renewable energy planning activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of this task force meeting was to:
- Facilitate coordination among federal, state, local, and tribal governments regarding the wind energy leasing process on the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Share information about existing Gulf of Mexico activities and marine conditions.
- Provide updates on regional offshore wind goals and developer activities.
GOM Request for Information (RFI) Materials
Meeting Materials
- Task Force Meeting Agenda
- Gulf of Mexico Task Force State Memo
- Gulf of Mexico Task Force BOEM Charter
- Task Force Meeting Roster
- Task Force Meeting Summary
Posters/Resources
- Gulf of Mexico Questions and Answers
- Potential Offshore Wind Foundations
- The BOEM Renewable Energy Process
- Renewable Energy Fact Sheet
- Wind Energy Commercial Leasing Process
- A Citizen's Guide to the BOEM Renewable Energy Authorization Process
- Regulatory Framework and Guidelines
- Offshore Wind in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico: Regional Economic
Modeling & Site-Specific Analyses - Offshore Renewable Energy Technologies in the Gulf of Mexico
| Topic | Presentation Title | Presenter | Resources |
| Webinar Instructions & Guidance | Eric Poncelet, Facilitator, Kearns & West (K&W) |
| Welcome & Opening Remarks | Tribal Invocation | Amanda Lefton, Director, BOEM ; John Bel Edwards, Governor of Louisiana ; Mike Celata, Regional Director, BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region | Video |
| Task Force Member Introductions | Task Force Member Introductions & Agenda Review | All Task Force Members | Eric Poncelet, Facilitator, K&W | Video |
| Background Information & Task Force Orientation | BOEM Offshore Renewable Energy Program (OREP) Overview | Jim Bennett, BOEM | PDF, Video Task Forces and Charter: Roles and Responsibilities | Idrissa Boube, BOEM | PDF, Video Leasing Process Review | David MacDuffee, BOEM OREP | PDF, Video Background Information and Task Force Orientation - Clarifying Questions | Video |
| Updates – Overview of State Renewable Energy Goals | State of Louisiana | Harry Vorhoff | PDF, Video State of Alabama | Chris Blankenship | Video |
| Panel – Offshore Wind Jurisdictional Authorities: Who is Who and What Do They Do? | United States Coast Guard | George Detweiler | PDF, Video NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service | Noah Silverman & David Dale | PDF, Video NOAA National Ocean Service CZMA | David Kaiser | PDF, Video |
| Panel – Gulf of Mexico Data Information Resources and Ocean Users | Offshore Wind Jurisdictional Authorities Panel - Q&A | Video National Renewable Energy Laboratory | Walt Musial | PDF, Video Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC-NOAA) | John Walter | PDF, Video BOEM Marine Cadastre and Ocean Reports | Christine Taylor | PDF, Video Gulf of Mexico Data Information Resources and Ocean Users Panel - Q&A | Video USFWS Migratory Birds | Randy Wilson | PDF, Video |
| Process Next Steps | Tershara Matthews, Chief, Emerging Programs, BOEM | Video |
| Facilitated Task Force Discussion | All Task Force Members | Eric Poncelet, Facilitator, K&W | Video |
| Overview of Action Items, Closing Remarks | Mike Celata, Regional Director, BOEM Gulf of Mexico Office | Video |
| Public Input Opportunity | Eric Poncelet, Facilitator, K&W | Video |