LOCATION/TYPE

NEWS HOME


[ exact phrase in "" • results by date ]

[ Google-powered • results by relevance ]

Archive
RSS

Add NWW headlines to your site (click here)

WHAT TO DO
when your community is targeted

Get weekly updates
RSS

RSS feeds and more

Keep Wind Watch online and independent!

Donate via Stripe

Donate via Paypal

Selected Documents

All Documents

Research Links

Alerts

Press Releases

FAQs

Campaign Material

Photos & Graphics

Videos

Allied Groups

News Watch Home

Interior ponders future leasing off South Carolina coast 

Credit:  Interior ponders future leasing off S.C. coast | Phil Taylor, E&E reporter via www.governorswindenergycoalition.org | Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2015 ~~

The Interior Department said it is gauging industry’s interest in developing wind farms off the South Carolina coast.

The agency is also beginning a National Environmental Policy Act review to determine whether it is appropriate to lease four areas covering 1,100 square miles off the Palmetto State shores.

Both announcements – the call for industry interest and the notice of intentto prepare a NEPA review – are open to 60 days of public comment.

“Today’s milestone marks another important step in the president’s strategy to tap clean, renewable energy from the Nation’s vast wind and solar resources,” Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said in a statement. “We know South Carolina has important wind energy potential, and we will work with stakeholders through a collaborative effort to identify high potential/low conflict areas for development, supporting investment and jobs in South Carolina.”

The announcement is the first of many federal steps necessary to permit wind farms in the Atlantic Ocean. If a lease sale is approved, Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management would auction development rights to the highest bidder. Construction of a commercial-scale wind farm is still likely several years off.

BOEM identified four potential leasing areas – Grand Strand, Cape Romain, Winyah and Charleston – in consultation with the South Carolina Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force. A map of the potential leasing areas, which begin about 3 miles from shore, can be found here.

An environmental assessment will explore the environmental and socio-economic impacts associated with auctioning the waters for wind energy. Such reviews typically look at conflicts with sensitive marine species and other ocean uses such as shipping and fishing, as well as visual impacts from beaches.

Source:  Interior ponders future leasing off S.C. coast | Phil Taylor, E&E reporter via www.governorswindenergycoalition.org | Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2015

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

Wind Watch relies entirely
on User Contributions
   Donate via Stripe
(via Stripe)
Donate via Paypal
(via Paypal)

Share:

e-mail X FB LI M TG TS G Share


News Watch Home

Get the Facts
CONTACT DONATE PRIVACY ABOUT SEARCH
© National Wind Watch, Inc.
Use of copyrighted material adheres to Fair Use.
"Wind Watch" is a registered trademark.

 Follow:

Wind Watch on X Wind Watch on Facebook Wind Watch on Linked In

Wind Watch on Mastodon Wind Watch on Truth Social

Wind Watch on Gab Wind Watch on Bluesky