US withdraws all designated offshore wind energy areas

The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced a significant policy shift by rescinding over 3.5 million acres of unleased federal waters previously earmarked for offshore wind energy projects. This decision affects 11 designated wind energy areas across various regions, including the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, and parts of California and North Carolina. The move is part of a broader strategy to halt what the agency describes as “speculative” wind development practices in federal waters.

Details of the Rescinded Areas

The areas affected by this decision include substantial portions of ocean off the coast of North Carolina, where three designated regions comprise over 8,000 square kilometers. Additionally, the two regions set aside for floating wind development off the coast of Oregon were also removed from consideration. The BOEM indicated that this action aligns with Secretary’s Order 3437, which aims to eliminate preferential treatment for unreliable energy sources controlled by foreign entities in federal decision-making processes.

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This policy reversal is also influenced by a presidential memorandum issued on the first day of former President Trump’s administration. This memorandum temporarily withdrew all areas on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from offshore wind leasing and mandated a comprehensive review of the federal government’s leasing and permitting practices for wind energy projects. As a result, BOEM’s recent actions reflect a significant shift in the federal approach to offshore wind energy development, prioritizing a more cautious stance on leasing and planning in these expansive ocean areas.