Senior officials from the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) will hold a public information session and discussion about offshore federal wind energy development southwest of Martha's Vineyard on Wednesday, September 21 at 5 p.m. at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, 54 Spring Street, Vineyard Haven.
On August 18, 2011, BOEMRE published the Area of Mutual Interest (Rhode Island and Massachusetts) all for Information and Nominations and corresponding Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment in the Federal Register.
The purpose of this Wednesday’s meeting is to explain these proposals, the next steps in the process, and to gather input from the public, state, local and tribal leaders, representatives of the fishing industry, as well as members of the public. BOEMRE officials will explain the commercial leasing process and provide the public with additional opportunities to provide input on important environmental, socioeconomic issues and alternatives to be considered in the Environmental Assessment (EA).
This is an important opportunity for members of the federal Wind Energy Task Force, Selectmen, planning board members, members of the Wind Energy Plan for Dukes County Work Group, and other interested organizations and people to discuss these issues with senior officials from the federal and state governments. BOEMRE officials are expected to participate include Maureen "Mo" Bornholdt, Program Manager, and Jessica Bradley, Project Coordinator, at the Office of Offshore Alternative Energy Programs. BOEMRE Director
Michael R. Bromwich said “It’s important that we hear from stakeholders who will be affected by offshore wind development to ensure that we do it in the right way and in the right places. We are determined to make sure that relevant interests and concerns are appropriately considered early in the planning process.”
Save the Date: On Wednesday, October 5, at 5 p.m., representatives from the Ocean Conservancy will hold a meeting on Martha's Vineyard to discuss how Martha's Vineyard and other areas along the coast are dealing with BOEMRE’s approach to wind energy development. It will include how to best seek the appropriate balance between moving ahead with renewable energy development versus the desire to carry out adequate marine spatial planning in advance of decisions about where to locate development. More details, including the location, will follow.
(Note: The MVC is sending out this reminder to make sure that all interested parties are aware of this Wednesday’s meeting, but the Commission is not organizing this meeting.)