The Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Alaska to support coordination and collaboration regarding energy and marine mineral resource development in federal waters off Alaska.
The MOU supports cooperation and coordination on the review and consultation of proposed projects including leasing, exploration, and development and production by describing processes to ensure effective and timely communication of agency priorities and upcoming activities, sharing of information regarding marine ecosystems, resources, and coastal communities, and describing collaborative processes related to decision-making.
Specific areas for coordination and collaboration relate to notification of proposed energy and marine mineral resource activities, the National Environmental Policy Act process, National Historic Preservation Act consultation, air emissions and air quality monitoring, wastewater discharges from oil and gas activities, oil spill financial responsibility for offshore facilities, scientific research, and senior leadership meetings.
