NEW ORLEANS – Today, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) have issued finalized regulations for renewable energy development in U.S. waters. The rule, known as the Renewable Energy Modernization Rule, provides updated guidance, increases the development process’s efficiency, clarifies ambiguous regulatory provisions, and enhances compliance requirements for offshore wind development. 

Pasha Feinberg, an expert on offshore wind policy and Ocean Conservancy’s Director of Renewable Energy, issued the following statement:

“We are pleased to see BOEM and BSEE update regulations that are critical to building out responsible offshore wind in the U.S., a process that is crucial for the health of our ocean. Modernizing the regulatory process for offshore wind development now means that the U.S. is establishing effective patterns for future offshore wind development, keeping build out moving quickly and in a responsible and just manner

“Within BOEM’s final rule are many recommendations highlighted in Ocean Conservancy’s Policy to Power report. We are pleased to see adjustments to the site assessment plans to better reflect contemporary development; the use of multifactor bidding that can help communities and minimize impacts to the marine environment; and the adoption of the public renewable energy leasing schedule. However, there is still room for improvements to this process. This rule does not change that for every offshore wind lease issued in U.S. waters, the government will also conduct an oil and gas lease. This tie is holding the U.S. back from a comprehensive clean energy transition, and must be severed. 

“The ocean is under dire stress due to climate change: in the past weeks alone, we have seen extreme ocean heatwaves and historic coral bleaching. In order to protect our ocean, we must have a responsible, rapid, and just transition to renewable energy and away from fossil fuels.

“We look forward to continuing to work with BOEM and BSEE on more opportunities to move responsible offshore wind forward, a vital sea change needed to protect our ocean from the climate crisis.”

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Ocean Conservancy envisions a healthier ocean, protected by a more just world. We are working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges and, together with our partners, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter) or Instagram.