Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Ocean Wind 1 wind energy project offshore New Jersey, opening a 45-day period for public comment.

The US BOEM will hold its second offshore wind energy auction in May and promises more will follow.

The industry group called the decision by the court “misguided” and said it will result in significant uncertainty for Gulf of Mexico producers

A federal judge tossed out the results of Sale 257, held last November, because of what it said was the government’s underestimation of the potential effect on the environment.

The auction was held as the result of a US district court order issued in June that overruled the Biden administration's attempt to suspend lease sales.

Last year’s GOM auction received high bids on just 93 blocks. Higher oil prices could attract bidders back to the planned lease sale.

The Biden administration has appealed a district court decision to restart oil and gas leasing programs in the US.

The secretaries of the Interior, Energy, Commerce, and Transportation departments met at the White House to discuss advancing wind energy in the United States while the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management identified prime areas for offshore wind energy off the US East Coast.

The research will focus on potential policy changes that could help increase oil and gas production from deepwater infrastructure already in place in the Gulf of Mexico to reduce stranded assets.

Lease Sale 256 was originally set for August but was moved due to COVID-19’s impact on the oil and gas markets. Bids will be accepted by mail only due to the ongoing pandemic.