Offshore wind energy in the Gulf of Maine presents a complex set of opportunities and trade-offs for coastal communities and industries in New Hampshire.
Our role:
New Hampshire Sea Grant is committed to encouraging community engagement, serving as an honest broker of information, and providing the best available science in the offshore wind development process.
NHSG serves as a bridge between our long-time partners in fishing communities, coastal community and municipal leaders, state and federal government, and industry interests.
This page will serve as a home for related links and resources gathered and/or created by New Hampshire Sea Grant staff related to offshore renewable energy development in the Gulf of Maine.
Timeline of offshore wind energy development in the Gulf of Maine
This living document visualizes the timelines of multiple processes (federal and state) that are proceeding in parallel in offshore wind energy development in the Gulf of Maine. It will be periodically updated to inform New Hampshire stakeholders and enable public participation in the various processes. This document does not include the monthly meetings of the New Hampshire Commission to Study Offshore Wind and Port Development.
NYSG Public Participation Guide
For more detailed guidance on how to have your voice heard in the federal offshore wind lease area siting process, check out the NYSG Public Participation Guide.
Concurrent Development Processes Relevant to NH
Fisheries Impact Mitigation:
Federal (BOEM) Fishery Mitigation Guidance
In early 2023, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will publish final guidance on “Reducing or Avoiding Impacts of Offshore Wind Energy on Fisheries.”
BOEM:
- June 23, 2022: Draft Guidance Published (public comment period closes Aug. 22, 2022)
- TBD Early 2024: Final Guidance Published
Multi-State Fisheries Mitigation Project
In parallel, nine east coast states (now 11) formed the Fisheries Mitigation Project to establish a regional fund administrator for fisheries compensatory mitigation, through the Special Initiative for Offshore Wind.
NH State recent updates:
- Winter 2024: States sign Letter of Support for Project
- TBD Spring 2024: States release RFP to fund a regional program administrator
NH Dept. of Energy (NHDOE) Consultant’s Report:
Through an RFP released in 2021, Normandeau Associates has been contracted by NHDOE to assesses the potential environmental, economic, and energy impacts in New Hampshire of development of offshore wind projects in the Gulf of Maine.
“Potential Environmental, Economic, and Energy Impacts in New Hampshire from Development of Offshore Wind in the Gulf of Maine”
- July 2022: Consultant chosen by NH
- August 2022 – May 2023: Normandeau Associates completes assessment
- May 2023: Draft Report Released
- June 2023: Final Report Published
New Hampshire Specific Info & Links
- New Hampshire Department of energy website
- New Hampshire Commission to Study offshore wind and Port Development
More Information on Offshore Wind Energy Development in the Gulf of Maine
Offshore Wind Energy beyond the Gulf of Maine
Sea Grant Liaison Initiative
With support from at least 16 Sea Grant Programs, the Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program established the Sea Grant Offshore Wind Liaison Initiative to serve the National Sea Grant Office and its network of nationwide programs.
The Liaison Initiative provides Sea Grant partners with the information they need to serve stakeholders enabling them to emerge as informed participants in offshore wind energy development decision making.
The Liaison Initiative prioritizes the development and dissemination of outreach and communication materials to best support stakeholder needs for educational information, science-based decision making and community social science research.
Northeast Sea Grant Consortium - Ocean Renewable Energy Research Competition
The Northeast Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and Water Power Technologies Office joined together to fund a research competition in 2021. The competition sought proposals to improve understanding of the effects of ocean renewable energy development on coastal communities, including the fishing industry. This includes wind and hydrokinetic wave, current, and tidal energy in the U.S. Northeast, from New York Bight to the Gulf of Maine.
Contact
Katy Bland
Engagement & Research Associate
katy@neracoos.org
