U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) recently announced that he is seeking public comments by Friday, Feb. 9 on his discussion draft legislation that would include a series of measures designed to facilitating wind energy permitting, coordination, and engagement, with Sen. Whitehouse calling offshore wind “an abundant resource that we have to harness to meet our climate and energy goals.”
Among other things, the draft legislation would establish a five-year leasing schedule for offshore wind (updated every two years), require federal engagement with stakeholders, establish a timeframe for the issuance of any outstanding authorizations following a Record of Decision, initiate a Bureau of Ocean Energy Management rulemaking for offshore wind transmission permitting, and establish a stakeholder compensation fund.
