The U.S. Department of Energy today announced that it is seeking information by Thursday, Oct. 3 on issues related to the planning and development of electric transmission facilities to service offshore wind power generating stations on the U.S. West Coast. In doing so, DOE noted its goal to understand transmission siting constraints offshore and onshore, environmental and energy justice priorities, community impacts, information gaps, and technical assistance needs.
Information is sought from recreational and commercial ocean users, offshore wind and maritime industries, government entities, and the public, with an interest primarily in feedback on the transmission infrastructure associated with offshore wind and not offshore wind turbines themselves. Feedback obtained will be used by DOE and the U.S. Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to inform the development of West Coast offshore wind transmission recommendations, which will not include regulatory actions or siting decisions.