U.S. makes regulatory changes affecting offshore wind

As numerous offshore wind projects begin to take shape off U.S. coasts, the federal government is modifying many of its oversight policies regarding this growing renewable energy industry. For the first time in more than a decade, the Coast Guard has revised its guidelines for reviewing the effects of offshore wind farms on commercial shipping, in recognition that such projects could significantly impact navigation safety, ship traffic routes, and the Coast Guard’s ability to respond to at-sea emergencies. Issued last month, the new guidance outlines navigational safety information that the agency will consider when reviewing permit applications to construct and operate offshore renewable energy installations, including offshore wind farms. These guidelines replace those issued in 2007. The Coast Guard advises the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), an arm of the Interior Department, on offshore leases and can recommend that project developers undertake a Navigation Safety Risk Assessment (NSRA) that evaluates marine traffic patterns and consults with a wide range.