Reminder: Virtual Meeting With BOEM 
September 7, 4:30 - 6:00 pm

On August 18, 2022, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the Request for Interest (RFI) for commercial offshore wind planning and leasing in the Gulf of Maine. Comments will be accepted on this RFI  until Oct. 3, 2022.

The RFI is the first step in BOEM's commercial planning and leasing process to identify locations in federal waters that appear most suitable for offshore wind, while also considering potential impacts to ocean users, wildlife, and the environment. The RFI will collect information to inform this process, as well as gauge interest in the development of commercial wind energy leases within the RFI area.

Also August 18, BOEM announced a Request for Competitive Interest (RFCI) for the State of Maine's application for a research lease for floating wind. Comments are also due Oct. 3, 2022. The RFCI is the next step in processing the state's application for a research lease in the Gulf of Maine. 

For more information on both the RFI and RFCI, including a helpful graphic illustrating each process, please see BOEM's website for the Gulf of Maine or BOEM's video describing the processes on YouTube.

On Wednesday, September 7, the Governor's Energy Office has invited BOEM to present a public virtual meeting about the RFI and RFCI for Maine stakeholders. The meeting will be held on Zoom from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Please click here to register for the meeting.

Please note this is not a formal comment opportunity for either the RFI or RFCI. Comments may be submitted following the instructions on the BOEM website.