Interior Department Announces Wind Energy 'Sweet Spots'

Deputy Secretary of the Interior David J. Hayes has announced the opening of "sweet spots" off the Mid Atlantic coast for the development of offshore wind energy.

* According to the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Tommy P. Beaudreau, the BOEM's National Environmental Policy Act assessment found no significant environmental and socioeconomic impacts from the issuance of wind energy leases in Outer Continental Shelf areas off the mid-Atlantic coast. The assessment included areas off Maryland, Virginia, News Jersey and Delaware.

* The department states that the assessment considered potential geophysical, geotechnical, archeological and biological impacts of issuing renewable energy leases in the identified Wind Energy Areas. Potential environmental impacts of the assessment itself, including the installation of meteorological towers, was also considered.

* The assessment is one step in the "Smart from the Start" wind energy initiative that Secretary Salazar launched in November 2010.

* The announcement is a hopeful sign of things to come, according to some state officials. Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, in a press release offered by BOEM, stated, "Maryland has emerged as one of the leaders in the effort to harness the power of offshore wind, and this legislative session we are continuing our fight for Maryland to harness the powerful gusts blowing off of Maryland's shores to create thousands of jobs in a new offshore wind industry."

* The BOEM has issued a Call for Information and Nominations to solicit additional leasing areas and public comments about the site conditions of those areas it viewed in its assessment. The Call Area for Maryland was selected through consultation with the Maryland Renewable Energy Task Force and encompasses 79,706 acres.

* A Call for Information and Nominations was also put out for the commonwealth of Virginia, where 112,799 acres of Call Area has been identified.

* The bureau has also announced the finalization of its new lease form, which it believes will streamline the issuance of renewable energy leases in the Outer Continental Shelf, the Interior Department reported. The form will include financial and other terms, along with site-specific mitigation measures before the lease is executed. The form will be used in consideration of future leasing decisions in the Wind Energy Areas and to review site assessment plans.
Source:Yahoo