NOAA’s roles in offshore wind energy are derived from a number of environmental statutes and directives:
- Consulting with BOEM and other agencies to ensure activities comply with the Endangered Species Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, National Marine Sanctuaries Act and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act.
- Coordinating with agencies and wind energy developers to ensure offshore wind energy projects satisfy the requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
- Coordinating with BOEM and other agencies to evaluate and mitigate the impacts of wind energy development activities on coastal and marine resources, as well as ocean observing systems under the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act, and providing data and expertise on commercial and recreational fisheries and identifying mitigation measures under the National Environmental Policy Act.
- Facilitating coastal states’ review of federal actions that could affect coastal uses or resources under the Coastal Zone Management Act’s federal consistency provision.
- Collaborating with federal, state and non-governmental partners to increase the mapping and observational data available for offshore wind energy siting and review, in conjunction with the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration and Characterization Strategy to map the seafloor as a way to better understand sustainable ocean development opportunities, and the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act to support safe navigation and the conservation and management of coastal and ocean resources.