Page 23: of Marine News Magazine (April 2021)

22 24

velopment opportunities, the Executive Order’s policy goal ment may be just an appetizer. While Vineyard Wind leads to double renewable energy production from offshore wind the way, BOEM has received Construction and Operation by 2030 seems to undersell the sector’s prospects. The work Plans (COPs) for 10 U.S. offshore wind projects. Submis- towards achieving—and exceeding these offshore wind sion of the COPs represents a critical step in the adminis- policy goals is well underway, with BOEM announcing on trative process used to approve renewable energy projects.

February 3 that the agency has resumed its environmental The COPs, once deemed complete by BOEM, undergo an review of the Vineyard Wind Project. The project aims to environmental review under the National Environmental construct 62 wind turbine generators 15 miles off the coast Policy Act (NEPA), which requires signi? cant interagency of Massachusetts, which will generate up to 800 megawatts consultation and public engagement. In addition, once the of electricity (enough electricity to power 400,000 homes). NEPA process is complete and the COPs approved, the Jones Act vessel operators will play a major role in devel- developer must submit a Facility Design Report, a Fab- oping Vineyard Wind and numerous other offshore wind rication and Installation Report, and suf? cient ? nancial projects undergoing federal review. President Biden reaf- assurances to support planned decommissioning costs. ? rmed this fact in his January 25th “Executive Order on In many ways, BOEM is, the most critical federal agency

Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of when it comes to the future of U.S. offshore maritime op-

America’s Workers,” which included the Jones Act in its list erations. The speed with which the agency completes its of “Made in America Laws.” The associated White House administrative review will dictate the market entry timing press release noted that “the President will continue to be a for stakeholders looking to engage in the construction and strong advocate for the Jones Act... which supports Ameri- operation of these offshore wind projects.

can production and America’s workers,” and further that Importantly, the menu of potential offshore energy proj- “with the signing of the 2021 National Defense Authoriza- ects is not limited to wind. On February 16, BOEM issued tion Act, the Jones Act has also been af? rmed as an oppor- a lease to Oregon State University for the PacWave South tunity to invest in America’s workers as we build offshore Project, the ? rst wave energy research project in Federal renewable energy, in line with the President’s goals to build waters. The testing area, which will span approximately our clean energy future here in America.” As discussed in 1,696 acres or 2.65 square miles, is located approximately the February edition of Marine News (“Winds of Change seven miles off Oregon’s central coast. Once fully licensed in D.C.”), the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), enacted by a Congressional veto override on January 1, construction will commence with operations scheduled 2021, amended the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to to begin as early as 2023. The project will consist of four clarify that the Jones Act extends to installations on the test berths to support the testing of up to 20 wave en-

OCS engaged in the exploration, development, and pro- ergy converter devices, with an anticipated capacity of 20 duction of non-mineral energy resources, including wind. megawatts. If the project proves successful, the U.S. could someday ? nd its energy demands met by the wind and the waves. For now, however, let’s just take our offshore energy

Desserts ahead development one course at a time.

These salad days of offshore renewable energy develop- www.marinelink.com MN 23|