Risk Assessment for Marine Vessel Traffic and Wind Energy Development in the Atlantic

• Main Authors: Copping, Andrea E., Breithaupt, Stephen A., Tagestad, Jerry D., Whiting, Jonathan M., Grear, Molly E., Shelton, Gregory A.
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: Arctic; Arctic Ocean
• Online Access: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1564839; https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1564839; https://doi.org/10.2172/1564839

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is initiating leasing of the seabed for offshore wind energy development on the outer continental shelf (OCS) in the Atlantic from Maine to Florida, with initial development planned for a series of Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) designated by the Department of Interior. Additional wind areas are under development and are currently considered to be Wind Call Areas (WCAs), leasing areas, and other set asides. Some of the proposed sites are located at or near the entrances to major ports, others are located at the seaward terminus of existing Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS), and many of the wind areas occupy locations along historical shipping routes. The siting of offshore wind farms has the potential to affect existing shipping along the Atlantic Coast; modifications to safe-access routes may be required. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has the authority to ensure navigational safety in U.S. waters. The USCG has undertaken the Atlantic Coast Port Access Study (ACPARS) to assess future port access and navigation needs for the Atlantic coast, at a time when the mix of shipping routes and vessels are likely to change due to factors such as the widening of the Panama Canal and opening of the Arctic Ocean to shipping. The presence of wind turbines off the Atlantic coast has the potential to affect shipping routes and activities. In order to safely incorporate the presence of offshore wind farms into ACPARS, the USCG requires information on the following: the effects of offshore renewable energy infrastructure on potential traffic density; the impacts of offshore wind infrastructure on shipping traffic including rerouting, funneling, and obstructions to navigation; and whether changes to safe access routes for vessels are needed with the installation of offshore wind farms, including modifications to fairways or TSSs. BOEM entered into an Interagency Agreement in August 2012 with the US Department of Energy (DOE) to provide risk assessment expertise to the USCG development ...