The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has rescinded over 3.5 million acres (over 14,000 sq km) of unleased federal waters previously set for offshore wind development.
The removes all 11 previously designated wind energy areas across the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of Maine, the New York Bight, California, Oregon, North Carolina, California’s Morro Bay, and the Central Atlantic.
Three of the 11 areas located off North Carolina alone amount to over 8,000 sq km. The two areas slated for floating wind development off Oregon were also rescinded.
In a statement, BOEM said the move would end the federal practice of designating large areas of the OCS for “speculative” wind development.
It noted that the action is being taken per the Secretary’s Order 3437, otherwise known as the Ending Preferential Treatment for Unreliable, Foreign Controlled Energy Sources in Department Decision-Making.
It also took into consideration the presidential memorandum from Trump’s first day in office, which temporarily withdrew all areas on the OCS from offshore wind leasing and ordered a review of the federal government’s leasing and permitting practices for wind projects.
