NOAA representatives were among the attendees. The purpose of the workshop was to educate stakeholders about the proposed offshore wind farm initiatives planned off the coasts of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Presentations were provided by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, USCG’s District 5 and Sector Delaware Bay, Ocean Wind (a project off the coast of northern New Jersey), Atlantic Shore (a project off the coast of New Jersey and Delaware), and U.S. Wind (a project off the coasts of Delaware and Maryland). 

This meeting came after NOAA and BOEM signed an interagency memorandum of understanding on Jan. 12, 2022, in support of reaching wind energy goals to advance wind energy responsibly while protecting biodiversity and promoting cooperative ocean use. The memo addresses efforts such as improving the efficiency of environmental review and authorization for permitting; supporting the advancement of new jobs, equitable economic development, and understanding the potential impacts of offshore wind farms; providing educational outreach; improving communication; and the exchange of data.

While wind energy is clean and sustainable, wind farms do present the potential for oil spills, whether as the result of a vessel colliding with a turbine, a spill resulting from a natural event such as a hurricane, or even equipment failure. Therefore, OR&R’s Emergency Response Division is beginning to engage by reviewing spill contingency plans to address offshore spills as well as spills from the waterfront facilities that will be supporting the offshore wind farms. 

For more information, please contact Frank.Csulak@noaa.gov.