Calling All Offshore Renewable Developers: MMS To Scope the OCS

On Friday, May 5, 2006, the Mineral Management Service issued this Notice of Intent

(PDF format) to prepare a programmatic EIS for the National Offshore Alternate Energy Related Uses (AERU) Program
and Rule.  From the Notice:

The NOI also serves toannounce the scoping process for this programmatic EIS. Throughout the scoping process, Federal, State, and local government agencies, and other interested parties have the opportunity to advise MMS in determining the significant issues, alternatives, and mitigation measures to be considered for analysis in the programmatic EIS. The programmatic EIS analysis will focus on the potential environmental effects of implementing the AERU.

According to the Notice, several public hearings have been scheduled for locations across the country, kicking off on May 18, 2006 in Herndon, Virginia.  OREC representatives plan to participate in as many of this hearings as is feasible and we urge our members and other offshore renewable developers and supporters to turn out for these meetings.  State tuned to the OREC website and mailing list, as we will be providing additional information on our efforts in the upcoming days. 

Posted by Ocean Renewable on May 7th, 2006 filed in MMS Watch