Feds Ask: Anyone Want to Build Wind Farms Around Guam?
Published Date: 1/6/2025
Notice
Summary
The government is asking people and companies if they’re interested in leasing ocean space near Guam to build wind farms. If you want to join the wind power party or have info about the area, you need to speak up by April 7, 2025. This could lead to new clean energy projects and business opportunities offshore Guam, so get ready to ride the wind wave!
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Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Companies Can Nominate Offshore Lease Areas
If you are a company interested in offshore wind near Guam, you can nominate specific OCS blocks within the 2,114,344-acre Call Area for commercial lease. BOEM asks nominators to provide specified information (see section 9) and will consider nominations as it decides whether to hold competitive sales or issue noncompetitive leases; BOEM must receive interest or comments by April 7, 2025.
Deep Waters Require Floating Wind Technology
BOEM states the Guam Call Area is in water too deep for traditional fixed-bottom foundations and will require floating offshore wind technology; BOEM requests industry information on development in depths greater than 1,300 meters and in areas with seafloor slope greater than 10 degrees. The Call Area excludes waters between the shoreline and 3 nautical miles and areas deeper than 2,600 meters.
DoD and Agency Coordination Could Limit Lease Areas
BOEM will coordinate with the Department of Defense and other agencies and may remove OCS blocks from leasing if they are incompatible with DoD activities. Potential mitigation measures listed include hold harmless agreements, mandatory coordination with DoD, restrictions on electromagnetic emissions, and evacuation procedures.
Environmental, Cultural, and NEPA Reviews Required
Before issuing leases BOEM will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) under NEPA and conduct consultations (including Endangered Species Act, Magnuson-Stevens Act, and Section 106 NHPA); BOEM will also require a separate project-specific NEPA analysis before approving any construction and operations plan. BOEM is engaging Indigenous Peoples and will protect confidential cultural information under NHPA Section 304.
BOEM Schedule Signals Possible 2028 Lease Sale
BOEM's five-year renewable energy leasing schedule includes a potential lease sale for a U.S. Territory in 2028, indicating a possible multi-year timeline toward lease issuance and project development for interested companies.
Confidentiality: Aggregated Heatmap, Not Individual Maps
BOEM will not publish individual companies' nomination maps submitted in response to this Call; instead it will publish an aggregated heatmap and a list of qualified companies. Companies may submit confidential materials labeled as such and BOEM may withhold them under FOIA Exemption 4 or NHPA Section 304 protections where applicable.
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