The MMS has seen very strong interest in offshore renewable energy projects on the outer continental shelf (OCS). The MMS is working closely with several states regarding offshore energy development and is in the process of coordinating federal-state task forces in certain coastal states. A summary of the status of activity in the different states can be found below:

The goal of the Renewable Ocean Energy Action Coordination Team of the West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health (a regional alliance) is to develop and employ a shared strategy (among the States) to ensure that if renewable energy development activities are proposed along the west coast, they will be comprehensively planned to increase renewable energy generation and minimize negative impacts to marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

The MMS has received indications of interest in renewable energy projects on the OCS off of Washington, Oregon, and California (wave projects in particular); however, no lease requests have been received.

	The MMS offered one interim policy limited lease to Bluewater Wind Delaware LLC in June 2009 for the installation of a meteorological tower.
	The MMS expects to issue a Request for Interest by the end of this year.
	The MMS is working to coordinate through a task force with the federal, state, local and tribal governments. The goal of the task force is to facilitate intergovernmental communications regarding OCS renewable energy activities.

The MMS is working with three potential hydrokinetic (ocean current) energy generation developers.

	Southern Company has issued a Request for Proposals for environmental consultants to work on a project off of Savannah.
	Once a contractor is identified, MMS will meet to discuss the application process.

	The State is developing a proposal for an inter-island power cable to transmit electricity from renewable energy projects (wind) between the islands of Lanai and Molokai to load centers on Oahu and Maui.
	An MMS-issued ROW (Right-of-Way) grant is required for the length of the cable that passes beyond the state waters surrounding the individual islands and into federal waters.
	The MMS is participating on the Environmental Working Group with the goal of producing a Joint federal state Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project.
	The Joint EIS will be funded by Hawaii, as the applicant.

	There are several initiatives for developing offshore renewable energy especially in state waters.
	State-level initiatives include meteorological evaluations and testing of deepwater, offshore wind technologies.
	Recently, the state passed legislation streamlining the permitting process for companies wanting to test new offshore wind technologies all along Maine’s coastline. The state will choose up to five such demonstration sites by December 15, 2009.

	The State of Maryland has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest and Information (RFI) with regard to the potential for offshore wind energy development.
	The purpose of the RFI is to assist the State and the Maryland Energy Administration to assess the State’s options for offshore development of its wind resources. The deadline for responses is January 31, 2010.

	Massachusetts law mandated the development of a comprehensive ocean management plan following a scientific and stakeholder process which is expected to be finalized by 2010.
	The draft Ocean Management Plan identifies suitable locations for commercial-scale wind development in state and adjacent federal waters.
	The MMS and the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs are coordinating closely to develop a path forward for commercial offshore leasing.
	The MMS is working to coordinate a task force meeting with the federal, state, local and tribal governments. The goal of the task force is to facilitate intergovernmental communications regarding OCS renewable energy activities.
	Cape Wind Project

	The MMS offered four interim policy leases; two to Deepwater Wind LLC, one to Bluewater Wind New Jersey LLC and one to Fishermen’s Energy of New Jersey LLC in June 2009.
	The MMS expects to issue a Request for Interest by end of this year.
	The MMS is working to coordinate through a task force with the federal, state, local and tribal governments. The goal of the task force is to facilitate intergovernmental communications regarding OCS renewable energy activities.

	A collaborative of private and public (state and city) entities is led by the Long Island Power Administration (LIPA) and Consolidated Edison Company (ConEd). The collaborative is considering wind power development on the OCS at a site 13 miles off Long Island.
	On June 30, 2009, the collaborative issued a Request for Information from developers, equipment manufacturers, and other interested parties. The comment period closed on August 31.
	Long Island Offshore Wind Park Project

	The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management has initiated an Ocean Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) which will be finalized by August 2010.
	The State has selected Deepwater Wind Rhode Island LLC to build in areas designated by the SAMP.
	The MMS is working to coordinate through a task force with the federal, state, local and tribal governments. The goal of the task force is to facilitate intergovernmental communications regarding OCS renewable energy activities.

The MMS’s Gulf of Mexico region is advising the South Carolina Regulatory Task Force for Coastal Clean Energy, a body that includes representatives of several state agencies: South Carolina Sea Grant, Santee Cooper, the Environmental Protection Agency, US Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Aeronautics Administration, Clemson University and several others. The Task Force is looking primarily at state waters and is to report in January 2010 to the State’s Wind Energy Production Farms Feasibility Study Committee.

	The MMS received a formal request from the Governor’s office to coordinate a federal-state task force.
	The MMS has received two unsolicited applications for projects offshore Virginia.