Biden-Harris administration advances offshore wind energy leasing in Guam

“Responsible offshore wind development off Guam’s coast offers a vital opportunity to expand clean energy, cut carbon emissions, and reduce energy costs for Guam residents,” said BOEM Director, Elizabeth Klein. “We remain committed to tackling the climate crisis, achieving President Biden’s energy goals, and ensuring economic opportunities for all, including underserved communities.”

The Department has worked to meet the moment to grow a clean energy economy that is strengthening the nation’s power grid and creating good-paying jobs across construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and more. In addition to the approval of the nation’s first 11 commercial scale offshore wind projects, BOEM has held six offshore wind lease auctions since 2022 – including a record-breaking sale offshore New York and the first-ever sales offshore the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Gulf of Maine coasts. The Department has also taken steps to grow a sustainable offshore wind industry by encouraging the use of project labour agreements, strengthening workforce training, bolstering a domestic supply chain, and through enhanced engagement with Tribes, fisheries, underserved communities, and ocean users.

The call was published on 6 January 2025, initiating a 90-day comment period ending at 11:59 ET on 7 April 2025, during which the public can submit relevant information on site conditions, marine resources, and ocean uses near or within the call area. Concurrently, wind energy companies can nominate specific areas they would like to see offered for leasing.

During the call comment period, BOEM will engage with Indigenous Peoples, stakeholder organisations, ocean users, federal agencies, the Government of Guam, and other parties to identify conflicts early in the process as BOEM seeks to identify areas where offshore wind development would have the least impact. This information will be used to significantly narrow the area to be considered for future offshore wind leasing.

The call requests information on one contiguous area around the island that comprises approximately 2.1 million acres. The area begins about 3 nautical miles from shore at its closest points, in water depths ranging from approximately 350 – 2200 m.

BOEM will consider public comments and commercial nominations in response to the call to analyse potential use conflicts before designating specific wind energy areas (WEAs) within the respective call area. If BOEM receives commercial interest in wind leasing offshore Guam, the next step will be to identify WEAs for leasing consideration within the larger call area. BOEM will then conduct environmental reviews of the WEAs in consultation with appropriate federal agencies, Indigenous Peoples, the Government of Guam, and other key stakeholders. After completing its environmental reviews and consultations, BOEM may propose one or more competitive lease sales for areas within the WEAs. There will be multiple opportunities for public input throughout this process.

 

 

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Read the article online at: https://www.energyglobal.com/wind/06012025/biden-harris-administration-advances-offshore-wind-energy-leasing-in-guam/