BOEM, DoD Unite to Balance Offshore Wind and Military Needs

  • BOEM and DoD sign a new MOU to advance offshore wind energy while safeguarding US military operations on the Outer Continental Shelf.
  • The collaboration focuses on early planning to minimise conflicts between wind energy projects and military activities, supporting national security and renewable goals.
  • Supports Biden administration’s 30 GW offshore wind targets by 2030 while ensuring military readiness remains intact.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Department of Defense (DoD) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to boost offshore wind development while protecting US military operations. The agencies announced the agreement at the Offshore WINDPOWER conference in Atlantic City, marking a critical step toward aligning renewable energy goals with national defence needs.

The MOU outlines efforts to balance offshore wind deployment on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) with maintaining critical military activities, a major priority under the Biden-Harris administration’s renewable energy push. BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment Brendan Owens stressed the importance of cooperation to ensure that offshore wind energy and military readiness coexist.

The DoD, which views the energy transition as vital for national resilience, supports the partnership. Owens highlighted that this collaboration will preserve military training and testing capabilities while advancing renewable infrastructure. The MOU clarifies the roles of both agencies, focusing on early planning to avoid conflicts between wind energy projects and military operations.

This agreement builds on a 1983 partnership between the DoD and the Department of the Interior but introduces more muscular coordination to address modern energy and security challenges. The DoD will now help identify areas where offshore wind development could interfere with military activities, ensuring critical defence operations continue without disruption.

BOEM and DoD will regularly consult and exchange information with public and private stakeholders to pinpoint zones suitable for wind energy. By engaging early in the planning process, both agencies aim to minimise impacts on defence operations while advancing renewable energy projects.

This MOU aligns with the Biden administration’s goals to install 30 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 15 gigawatts of floating wind power by 2035. Reaching these targets will create jobs, diversify the US energy mix, and support efforts to combat climate change.

The agreement highlights the importance of close interagency collaboration to balance energy development and military readiness. By working together, BOEM and DoD aim to ensure offshore wind growth while safeguarding national security.

This partnership represents a critical step in advancing renewable energy without compromising US military capabilities. Through improved communication and strategic planning, both agencies will continue to support offshore wind development in ways that meet the country’s energy and defence needs.

This strengthened cooperation positions the US to achieve its clean energy goals while maintaining national security, setting the stage for future offshore wind expansion that aligns with defence priorities.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *