Abstract
This article describes the policy framework for siting, permitting, and developing offshore renewable energy facilities in the United States. It also highlights features of regulatory programs in other countries and makes some comparisons. Initially, the article presents a brief historical background of US regulatory development, and then it provides a synopsis of the more salient features of the federal siting and permitting program, followed by descriptions of policy frameworks in three other countries — the United Kingdom, Germany, and Portugal. It concentrates on federal policies as set apart from state and local-level policies, on policies encouraging or authorizing construction of offshore facilities, and on those offshore energy technologies considered relevant in the short term by the Alternative Energy and Alternative Use Program of the US Minerals Management Service. These hydrokinetic energy sources are generated in or over submerged lands and include offshore wind energy. To facilitate comparisons, framework elements are categorized as: (1) research and innovation policies that help to develop emerging and improved technologies; (2) market-based policies that underwrite the cost of introducing technologies, provide a competitive framework, and may internalize externalities and (3) regulatory advances that simplify and improve the efficiency of permitting offshore energy facilities.
Highlights
Introd uc t i o n Offshore renewable energy development is a hot topic. Researchers involved in it are quite busy as the Obama administration pushes for regulation of carbon emissions, as oil prices steadily rise, and as technological advances quickly alter aspects of the policy context
It is helpful to examine policies in different countries, those with advanced experience in offshore renewable energy development, to characterize their regulatory practices and to look at what might be suitable for adoption or adaptation in the United States
Given the breadth and complexity of what falls under the general theme of “policy,” the text focuses on federal policies as set apart from state and local-level policies that support the sector, and on siting and permitting as these are limited to the processes of allocating ocean space, authorizing projects, and environmental impact assessment
Summary
The article presents a brief historical background of US regulatory development, and it provides a synopsis of the more salient features of the federal siting and permitting program, followed by descriptions of policy frameworks in three other countries—the United Kingdom, Germany, and Portugal It concentrates on federal policies as set apart from state and local-level policies, on policies encouraging or authorizing construction of offshore facilities, and on those offshore energy technologies considered relevant in the short term by the Alternative Energy and Alternative Use Program of the US Minerals Management Service. The OCS begins 3 nm, or approximately 5.5 km, off coastal shorelines and extends to about 200 nm (370 km) seaward, with depths ranging from a few meters to thousands of technologies reviewed in the PEIS for the AEAU program give an indication of expected development projects off US shores (Minerals Management Service, 2007) These projects constitute capture technologies for offshore wind, wave, and ocean current (including tidal) energy.
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