The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has initiated the process for a second regional offshore wind energy sale in the Central Atlantic, called Central Atlantic 2. This initiative invites public input on potential commercial wind energy development off the coasts of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.
Building on the groundwork from the inaugural Central Atlantic lease sale on August 14, 2024, the Central Atlantic 2 Call marks a preliminary step in the leasing process. BOEM will officially publish the call for information and nominations in the Federal Register on August 22, 2024, with a 60-day public comment period ending on October 21, 2024.
Public and stakeholder input will be gathered through virtual and in-person meetings, including a virtual Task Force meeting on September 10 and 11. BOEM will assess commercial nominations and feedback, incorporating insights from Tribal consultations and the Central Atlantic Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force to evaluate the area’s suitability for offshore wind energy projects.
The Central Atlantic 2 call area covers 13.5 million acres, offering flexibility to minimize conflicts with other maritime activities, such as commercial fishing, military operations, and shipping routes. BOEM will collaborate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science to identify potential conflicts and suitable locations for wind energy areas (WEAs).