The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has identified a draft wind energy area (WEA) in the Gulf of Maine, opening a 30-day public review and comment period.

The draft WEA covers approximately 3,519,067 acres offshore Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, ranging from approximately 37 to 193 km off the coast.  

BOEM director Elizabeth Klien said, 
“BOEM will continue to prioritise a robust and transparent planning process, including engagement with Tribal governments, federal and state agencies, the fishing community and other ocean users.

“BOEM strives to minimise potential impacts and will continue working hard to finalise offshore areas that have strong resource potential and the fewest environmental and user conflicts.” 

Responding to the draft WEA, Business Network for Offshore Wind vice president of federal and state policy John Begala said, 
"We welcome publication of draft offshore wind areas in the Gulf of Maine. Advancing leasing in the Gulf of Maine sustains confidence and will help unlock investment in the US floating wind supply chain, giving the US the opportunity to catch up with the global market in this emerging field. Floating offshore wind is also crucial to New England states, whose demand for clean power generation is predicted to grow from current levels as they move to decarbonize their economies.”

The Gulf of Maine has significant opportunities for offshore wind energy. Due to the deep waters in the Gulf of Maine, these areas are also an opportunity to accelerate US use of floating wind technologies.

The draft WEA has a capacity of more than 40 GW, which exceeds the current combined offshore wind energy planning goals for the Gulf of Maine states: 10 GW for Massachusetts and 3 GW for Maine. Future adjustments to the draft WEA are likely to be made after incorporating feedback from the comment period.

The draft WEA avoids Lobster Management Area 1 and all North Atlantic Right Whale Restricted Areas. It also avoids other important fishing areas and habitats, including important groundfish areas east of the Western Gulf of Maine Closure and within the 10-km buffer from Georges Bank, Platts Bank, Parker Ridge and Three Dory Ridge. 

In response to initial conversations with Tribal Nations located within Maine, the draft WEA strives to avoid a majority of the historic and present fishing grounds of those tribes. BOEM will continue to consult with all tribal nations and other stakeholders who have an interest in the region to understand their concerns with potential offshore wind energy development and minimise conflicts. 

BOEM is also seeking comment on whether to add all or parts of three secondary areas that were identified for additional analysis but are not part of the draft WEA. 

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: BOEM