Offshore wind licensing in the United States of America

This chapter provides an overview of US federal laws and regulations issued by the US Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) governing offshore wind licensing of commercial acreage in US federal waters. It covers the unsolicited bid process and the more common offshore wind acreage sales carried out by BOEM, along with other permitting process of federal waters for more limited renewable activities. It also describes the Site Assessment Plan and Commercial Operation Plan process necessary to conduct regulated activities on any offshore acreage awarded by BOEM, including its proposed plans in relation to compliance with a variety of other federal laws regulating, inter alia, health and safety, environment, wildlife (including marine mammals and migratory birds), and decommissioning issues and demonstrating proper consultation with state, local, and tribal authorities where required. It does not address offshore wind licensing of acreage in state waters.