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The U.S. State Department today announced the release of geographic coordinates defining the outer limits of the U.S. continental shelf in areas beyond 200 nautical miles from the coast (extended continental shelf), calling it the result of “the largest offshore mapping effort ever conducted by the United States.” Noting that under international law the United States has rights [...]

President Biden today transmitted the following two treaties for ratification consideration by the U.S. Senate: the Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of Cuba on the Delimitation of the Continental Shelf in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico beyond 200 Nautical Miles, and the Treaty between the Government of the United States of [...]

The U.S. Interior Department today announced its decision to hold no more than three Gulf of Mexico oil and natural gas lease sales through 2029, stating that the program is consistent with statutory requirements mandating offshore oil and gas lease sales as a precondition to offshore wind energy leasing.  The announcement also noted that the 2024-2029 offshore oil and gas [...]

The U.S. Interior Department today announced its decision to hold no more than three Gulf of Mexico oil and natural gas lease sales through 2029, stating that the program is consistent with statutory requirements mandating offshore oil and gas lease sales as a precondition to offshore wind energy leasing.  The announcement also noted that the 2024-2029 offshore oil and gas [...]

During a White House roundtable today co-hosted by the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, and Council of Economic Advisers, Biden administration officials and members of the academic community discussed the National Science and Technology Council’s (NSTC) Subcommittee on the Frontiers of Benefit-Cost Analysis report on “Advancing the Frontiers of Benefit-Cost Analysis: [...]

The Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP) today concluded its first meeting since its reauthorization in the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.  ORAP is tasked with advising the Ocean Policy Committee on areas including national ocean research priorities; implementation of the implement the National Oceanographic Partnership Program; national oceanographic science, engineering, facilities, and resource requirements; improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in [...]

The Interior Department today announced its decision to propose an offshore wind lease sale covering two areas in the Central Atlantic that span ~278,000 acres of federal waters off Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.  According to DOI, the areas have the potential to provide electricity to over 2.2 million homes. Interior Sec. Deb Haaland called the announcement “another step [...]

The White House today announced a Joint Statement with the Governments of Australia and Canada on an agreement to establish the Partnership on Cooperation on Natural Capital Accounting, Environmental Economic Accounting, and Related Statistics, and develop a common approach to natural capital accounting, environmental-economic accounting, and environmental-economic statistics. Among other things, the initial Partnership participants noted the importance of [...]

NOAA and the Commerce Department today announced a $1 million funding opportunity for competitive grants to help improve Arctic climate data and information products. Commerce Sec. Gina Raimondo said that the funding “will provide communities with data and tools to make informed decisions that can build climate resilience and strengthen our economy and national security.” Applications are due [...]

The White House Council on Environmental Quality today announced the release of the U.S. Ocean Justice Strategy. With a vision focused on equitable access to the benefits of a healthy and resilient ocean and sustainable ocean economy, meaningful engagement of all communities in federal ocean activities, recognition of the value of engagement with tribal nations, indigenous peoples, and [...]