Introduction - Structural Integrity of Offshore Wind Turbines - page 2

BOX 1-1

Regulatory Timeline for Renewable Energy
Development on the U.S. OCS

2005 The Energy Policy Act of 2005, Section 388, authorizes

MMS to do the following, among other things:

• Act as the lead agency for federal offshore renewable
energy and alternative uses of offshore public lands
(also known as the OCS);
• Ensure consultation with states and other stakeholders;
grant easement, leases, or rights-of-way for renewable
energy-related uses of the federal OCS; and
• Pursue appropriate enforcement actions in the event
that violations occur.

2007 In November, MMS issued the final programmatic envi-

ronmental impact statement (PEIS) in support of the
establishment of a program for authorizing renewable and
alternative use activities on the OCS. The final PEIS exam-
ined the potential environmental effects of the program
on the OCS and identified policies and best management
practices that could be adopted for the program.

In December, the Record of Decision was released, affirm-
ing that MMS would proceed with establishment of the
Renewable Energy Program for the OCS on the basis of the
analysis presented in the PEIS.

2007 In November, MMS announced an interim policy for

authorizing the installation of offshore data collection
and technology testing facilities on the OCS. The policy
was designed to jump-start baseline data collection efforts
in advance of final regulations.

(On June 23, 2009, five exploratory leases were granted
for renewable wind energy resource assessment on the
OCS offshore Delaware and New Jersey.)