Saltwater

Wind Farms Coming to the Gulf of Mexico

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), is proposing the first-ever offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico.

The proposed sale is part of the leasing project announced by the DOI in 2021 to meet the Biden administration’s goal to deploy thirty gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030.

BOEM began identifying areas in the Gulf of Mexico in late 2021, following findings from government studies that show the Gulf of Mexico’s shallow waters and proximity to oil and gas infrastructure make it promising for the expansion of a new offshore industry.  According to their studies, these areas presented the fewest apparent environmental and user conflicts identified as Wind Energy Areas (WEA).

On February 23, 2023, BOEM published a proposed Lease Areas including a 102,481-acre portion of the WEA offshore Lake Charles, Louisiana, and two WEAs totaling a combined 199,266 acres offshore Galveston, Texas. Together, the proposed Lease Areas have the potential to produce enough wind energy to power 1.3 million homes.

The Billfish Foundation will be looking at how BOEM would affirm its commitment to engage with our community.  Specifically, how to establish and contribute to a fisheries compensatory mitigation fund or contributing to an existing fund to mitigate potential negative impacts to commercial and for-hire recreational fisheries caused by offshore wind development; and requiring that lessees provide a regular progress report summarizing engagement with ocean users potentially affected by offshore wind activities.

Source: The Billfish Foundation

TFG Editorial

Recent Posts

Landing a STAR King Mackerel

June in the Gulf of Mexico is prime time for anglers fishing STAR to reel…

7 hours ago

STAR Sheepshead Strategies for June

The STAR tournament is known by many families along the coast for amazing scholarship opportunities.…

8 hours ago

Feds Release Private Red & Gray Snapper “Callibrations”

NOAA Fisheries is implementing a final rule for a framework action under the Fishery Management…

17 hours ago

Fort Worth Will Host 2025 Bassmaster Classic

The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors, will return to Fort Worth…

18 hours ago

Bull Shark Caught In Guadalupe River

A bull shark has reportedly been caught in the Guadalupe River. According to a report from…

18 hours ago

Diplaced Wildlife May Be In Unlikey Places As Flood Waters Recede

As flood waters begin to recede across much of Central and East Texas, property owners…

2 days ago