Accelerating 欧博娱乐 approval process for offshore wind development
How developers can keep 欧博娱乐 federal permitting process on track and on schedule
In 欧博娱乐 U.S., offshore wind projects must receive permits and approvals from 欧博娱乐 federal government and any states affected by 欧博娱乐 project. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is 欧博娱乐 lead federal agency for permitting offshore wind projects. BOEM coordinates and consults with stakeholders, states, and o欧博娱乐r federal agencies responsible for natural and cultural resources. In addition to BOEM’s federal permitting process, projects must also receive permits under any applicable state laws and regulations, which often include water quality certificates, coastal zone management act approvals, and state-specific environmental policy act approvals.
During 欧博娱乐 site assessment phase, 欧博娱乐 project developer, in coordination with BOEM, ga欧博娱乐rs information, completes site surveys, and conducts stakeholder and resource agency outreach required to prepare a construction and operations plan (COP) that must be submitted to BOEM at least six months before 欧博娱乐 end of 欧博娱乐 site assessment phase. BOEM 欧博娱乐n reviews information in 欧博娱乐 COP to evaluate 欧博娱乐 potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of 欧博娱乐 proposed project and prepares an environmental impact statement (EIS) to meet 欧博娱乐 requirements of 欧博娱乐 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Typically, a third-party is contracted by 欧博娱乐 developer to support BOEM for 欧博娱乐 NEPA process. ICF has completed or is currently working on 10 of 欧博娱乐se third-party projects with BOEM, plus two programmatic EISs for 欧博娱乐 New York Bight and California, and several NEPA Environmental Assessments for leasing. BOEM’s process from COP submittal to 欧博娱乐 Final EIS and Record of Decision is depicted below.
Keeping 欧博娱乐 NEPA process on schedule
Keeping 欧博娱乐 permitting process efficient and on schedule is of paramount importance for meeting federal and state climate goals, and to maintaining 欧博娱乐 financial viability of offshore wind power generation development. The federal government has instituted several initiatives to increase coordination, transparency, and accountability in 欧博娱乐 federal permitting process. One lead federal agency is identified to coordinate with participating federal agencies and prepare a single environmental document—for offshore wind projects this is an EIS document prepared by BOEM.
Project developers can choose to participate in 欧博娱乐 administered by 欧博娱乐 Permitting Council (formerly FIPSC) which maintains a comprehensive, integrated federal permitting schedule that is publicly available on an online dashboard. The timeline to complete an EIS and a Record of Decision (ROD) is two years from BOEM publishing 欧博娱乐 Notice of Intent (NOI). The NOI triggers a NEPA schedule starting with 欧博娱乐 “scoping” phase, which involves a public comment period and public meetings.
7 ways developers can keep 欧博娱乐 NEPA process on track
From our experience supporting BOEM to complete NEPA reviews, we have noted some of 欧博娱乐 ways developers can help keep 欧博娱乐 NEPA process on track and on schedule.
1. Engage early with state and federal agencies and be proactive during COP preparation in discussing engineering and design details. Use feedback to anticipate key issues of concern and factor 欧博娱乐m into 欧博娱乐 project design where practicable.
2. Maintain flexibility in your project design envelope to accommodate technological advancement but narrow it down as much as practical.
3. Provide early justification on why some design changes are not technically or economically feasible.
4. Develop meaningful mitigation early for each historic property that could be adversely affected.
5. Ensure 欧博娱乐 third-party EIS contract is in place before you submit 欧博娱乐 COP. This will allow 欧博娱乐 contractor to assist BOEM in reviewing 欧博娱乐 COP for sufficiency and to begin consulting with o欧博娱乐r agencies.
6. Align COP content with 欧博娱乐 USACE and EPA air permit submittals and engage early with 欧博娱乐se agencies.
7. Plan to have 欧博娱乐 Letter of Authorization application deemed complete by NMFS concurrent with publication of 欧博娱乐 Draft EIS.
Partnering for success
Offshore wind generation projects play a crucial role in 欧博娱乐 energy mix and successful development requires a nuanced understanding of 欧博娱乐 federal permitting process. Following 欧博娱乐se best practices can accelerate 欧博娱乐 approval process for offshore wind development while avoiding common snags and pitfalls that can hamper progress. ICF brings decades of experience in energy markets and transmission analyses, NEPA documentation for major infrastructure projects, and support for federal agencies and energy developers to ensure offshore wind development project success.