Permitting Assessment for Small-Scale Offshore Renewable Energy Projects

The Bureau of Ocean Energy and Management (BOEM) is responsible for managing the development of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) energy, mineral, and geological resources in an environmentally and economically responsible way. BOEM has seen very strong interest in offshore renewable energy projects on the OCS and is working closely with several states regarding offshore energy development. Offshore renewable energy has emerged as a key component in meeting state and federal carbon reduction targets, reducing fossil fuel reliance, and stimulating economic growth along coastal regions. While large-scale offshore wind projects have garnered significant attention and investment, the potential for small-scale offshore projects remains underexplored. Small-scale projects, which may include pilot turbine designs, wave energy converters, or community-level renewable systems, can serve as critical testbeds for innovation, provide localized energy solutions, and spur equitable coastal development by engaging smaller communities, local businesses, and distributed energy networks.

The proposed project will analyze BOEM’s current permitting framework to identify key challenges, opportunities for improvement, and potential pathways to facilitate the development and implementation of small-scale projects. Possible approaches include regulatory mapping, case study examination of existing small-scale projects, and policy scenario modeling. As state and federal governments are striving for carbon reduction targets, developing a well-defined renewable energy portfolio will be paramount. This portfolio should encompass a variety of generation methods and scale sizes to optimize potential renewable energy capacity.