A Long, Bighting Process

On June 6, 2016, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced a proposed notice for the sale of a commercial wind energy lease in what is called the “NY Wind Energy Area”. This area is roughly 127-square miles located off the coast of New Jersey and Long Island. The proposal is only the beginning of a long process.

The environmental review and lease sale is limited to the issuance of a lease area, surveys and site characterization and approval of meteorological and oceanography buoys within the lease area. At this time, no wind turbines are permitted and the entire project might be halted during this process. However, what this announcement signifies is the first step in siting this wind farm in the NY Bight. COA is not opposed to offshore wind energy as long as it is properly sited, developed and constructed. COA will continue to review the material and engage in the process as advocates for the ocean.