The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) recently announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Defense (DOD) to support the coordinated development of wind-energy generation on the nation’s outer continental shelf. The agreement will help further institutionalize the collaboration between BOEM and DOD ensuring that offshore wind lease areas and project plans strengthen the nation’s energy security in ways compatible with military operations.
BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein and Brendan Owens, assistant secretary of defense for energy, installations, and environment, signed the MOU during a ceremony at the Offshore WINDPOWER Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
“BOEM is dedicated to establishing a strong offshore wind industry that supports communities and co-exists with other ocean uses,” said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein. “Our collaboration with the Department of Defense is crucial to ensure offshore wind development is carried out efficiently and sustainably, while minimizing impacts to military operations.”
“DOD is committed to working across the U.S. government to accelerate the ongoing clean energy transition, which is critical to ensuring access to reliable and resilient energy sources in order to fulfill our mission,” Owens said.
“We will continue to work with BOEM and our other interagency partners to find solutions that enable offshore wind development while ensuring long-term compatibility with testing, training, and operations critical to our military readiness.”
DOD and BOEM share responsibility for ensuring offshore wind-project plans consider military preparedness requirements. The agreement will clarify the duties of both organizations during leasing and project review. This approach also includes participating in intergovernmental renewable energy task forces.
The MOU calls for DOD and BOEM to collaborate as early as possible in the offshore wind leasing process, regularly communicate and exchange information at the staff and leadership levels, and determine what areas should be deferred from leasing to enable the performance of DOD activities on the outer continental shelf.
More info www.boem.gov/renewable-energy
