Approximately 50 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico is being considered for renewable energy development, with Texas and Louisiana offshore areas having some of the highest wind capacity in the Gulf.
Combined, the Gulf Coast States comprise 32% of the shallow-water offshore wind potential in the U.S.
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will hold its fifth Gulf of Mexico Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force meeting on April 18, 2024. It’s free to attend, virtual and you’re invited!
Established in 2021, the Task Force is a partnership between federal, state, and local agencies and Tribal governments tasked with coordinating renewable energy planning activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico. It serves as a forum to discuss stakeholder issues, exchange data and information about ocean use and resources, and facilitate collaboration opportunities.
- Apr 18, 2024 09:00 AM (CST)
To register or join the webinar please visit:
https://kearnswest.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ScD5_pswRbW94ZX3GcK4HA#/registration
The purpose of the meeting is to update task force members on offshore wind energy planning activities and to discuss next steps in the BOEM leasing process, including the recently announced proposal for the second offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico.
To view a roster of Task Force members click HERE.
Additionally, this meeting aims to:
- Facilitate coordination and consultation among federal, state, local, and tribal governments regarding offshore wind energy and the renewable energy leasing process on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Update the Task Force members and stakeholders on recent state activities.
- Provide an overview and seek in-depth feedback on the Proposed Sale Notice and related auction format.
- Provide forum for discussion and information to ensure BOEM is informed about Task Force members’ interests.
- Provide opportunities for public input about the topics being considered by the Task Force.
On October 31, 2022, BOEM announced the finalization of two Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in the Gulf of Mexico. The first final WEA is located approximately 24 nautical miles (nm) off the coast of Galveston, TX. The area totals 508,265 acres and has the potential to power 2.1 million homes with clean wind energy. The second final WEA is located approximately 56 nm off the coast of Lake Charles, LA. The area totals 174,275 acres and has the potential to power over 740,000 homes.
Guice Offshore, the U.S. Flag leader in dynamically positioned, Jones Act-compliant offshore supply vessels and mini-supply vessels, is experienced with offshore wind infrastructure development. Our offshore vessels and crew have performed a variety of functions across the various stages of wind energy projects, such as surveying, transportation of blades and turbines, installation, inspection, maintenance and crew transfer, among other jobs.
Meeting Materials
- Task Force Meeting Agenda
- Task Force Meeting Roster
- Gulf of Mexico Task Force State Memo
- Gulf of Mexico Task Force BOEM Charter
Posters/Resources
- Gulf of Mexico Questions and Answers
- Potential Offshore Wind Foundations
- The BOEM Renewable Energy Process
- Renewable Energy Fact Sheet
- Wind Energy Commercial Leasing Process
- A Citizen’s Guide to the BOEM Renewable Energy Authorization Process
- Regulatory Framework and Guidelines
- Offshore Wind in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico: Regional Economic Modeling & Site-Specific Analyses
- Offshore Renewable Energy Technologies in the Gulf of Mexico
- Fisheries FAQ’s
