Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
how projects will be evaluated as companies seek the necessary financ-
ing. Further delays in developing an adequate national regulatory frame-
work are likely to impede development of offshore wind facilities in U.S.
waters. Moreover, developments in state waters could proceed in the
absence of federal regulations, possibly leading to inconsistent safety and
performance across projects.
Filling the Gaps
•
Performance-based standards are a regulatory framework that best
meets two government objectives: (
a
) fulfilling BOEMRE's mission of
overseeing the safe, orderly, and environmentally responsible devel-
opment of the OCS and (
b
) fostering innovation and competitiveness.
Improvements in the efficiency of offshore wind turbine installations
and reductions in capital and operating costs are needed if offshore wind
energy is to become a highly competitive renewable energy source.
Performance-based (goal-based) standards, which are gradually replac-
ing prescriptive standards in other industries (such as civil infrastructure,
offshore oil and gas, and shipping), provide the flexibility needed to
accommodate new technologies. They can be administered and modi-
fied by the regulatory bodies in a straightforward way, they clarify the
responsibilities of industry in meeting project goals, and they result in
the transparency that comes with the delineation of goals and objectives.
Recommendations
To enable timely development of U.S. offshore wind energy within a
robust regulatory framework, the following approach is recommended:
1. BOEMRE should proceed immediately with development of a set of
goal-based standards governing the structural safety of offshore
wind turbines and power platforms. These regulations should be risk-
informed (see Appendix A) and should cover design, fabrication, and
installation. Offshore wind energy is an emerging technology; there-
fore, the standards should be crafted to allow and encourage introduc-
tion of innovative solutions that improve the safety, environmental
performance, reliability, and efficiency of offshore wind facilities.
BOEMRE should either develop these regulations within the agency
Search WWH ::
Custom Search