A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was reached between the Bureau Of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) -U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Coast Guard-U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The MOA became effective Jul7 27, 2011. The purpose of the MOA is to clarify the roles of each party involved in the MOA. The MOA can be found here. http://www.boemre.gov/pdfs/MOA_USCG_BOEMRE_July_27_2011.pdf
The DOI will collaborate with USCG on offshore renewable energy and transmission projects. In addition BOEMRE will work with the Cost Guard on planning, grants and environmental reviews for renewable energy projects. The Cost Guard’s marine expertise will be a large help to the Department of the Interior.
“BOEMRE has enjoyed an outstanding relationship with the Coast Guard in overseeing and regulating offshore oil and gas activities and facilities,” agency Director Michael Bromwich said in a statement. “This MOA extends that cooperation and collaboration to the oversight of the developing offshore renewable energy industry and will greatly enhance the efficiency of our environmental review and leasing processes.”
The full Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) can be found here. http://www.boemre.gov/pdfs/MOA_USCG_BOEMRE_July_27_2011.pdf