MMS outlines review of offshore renewable projects

Washington (Platts)--8May2006

The Minerals Management Service plans to conduct a comprehensive
environmental study on the development of renewable energy projects on the
Outer Continental Shelf, it said Friday.

The agency said the programmatic environmental impact statement will
examine the impacts of development, operation and decommissioning of renewable
energy facilities, as well as suggesting "site-specific" mitigation measures
that could be imposed on renewable projects.

In December, MMS launched the proceeding, which stems from a provision in
the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that gives the agency the authority to regulate
renewable projects on the OCS, but at the time MMS did not specify how broad
its review would be.

Laurie Jodziewicz, a communications and policy specialist with the
American Wind Energy Association, on Monday praised MMS' decision to conduct a
PEIS, as long as it does not delay renewable projects that have already
entered the regulatory pipeline.

The agency said it would take 18 months to complete the review. MMS will
also hold public meetings on the proceeding throughout the country from May 18
through June 8.

For similar news, take a trial to Platts Inside Energy at
http://insideenergy.platts.com.