The Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee recently released its recommendations to NOAA and the Fish and Wildlife Service on Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning.
September 13, 2011
US pledges US$43m to spur offshore wind
From: Reinforced Plastics
09 September 2011
The US Department of Energy (DoE) has pledged US$43 million over the next five years to speed technical innovations, lower costs, and shorten the time-line for deploying offshore wind.
By Kari Williamson
The 41 projects across 20 states will advance wind turbine design tools and hardware, improve information about US offshore wind resources, and accelerate the deployment of offshore wind by reducing market barriers such as supply chain development, transmission and infrastructure, DoE says.
“The US has an abundant offshore wind resource that remains untapped,” says Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
September 6, 2011
Coastal Planning Conference Announced (Sacramento Bee)
From: Sacramento Bee
NANTUCKET, Mass., Aug. 24, 2011 — /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — New uses like wind and tidal energy facilities and aquaculture projects need to co-exist with recreational boaters and transportation networks in our ecologically-sensitive coastal waterways. How do communities balance competing demands in their coastal waters? How should we decide what uses go where? Regional management plans to ensure that our waters are sustainably used and protected, mandated by the Obama administration, are now being developed. How can stakeholders have a say in that process?
August 19, 2011
Interior Launches Leasing Process for Commercial Wind Energy Offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts
From: Department of Interior
08/17/2011
Contact: Kate Kelly, DOI (202) 208-6416
Leann Bullin, BOEMRE (703) 787-1755
WASHINGTON – As part of Interior’s “Smart from the Start” offshore wind energy initiative to spur rapid and responsible siting, leasing and construction of new wind projects, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Director Michael R. Bromwich today announced the initial steps to develop commercial wind energy on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts.