Client: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Role: Stakeholder engagement, content development, and outreach research
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is responsible for offshore renewable energy programs on the Outer Continental Shelf. While BOEM has a clear set of permitting and leasing responsibilities, renewable energy development is a relatively new and lesser known activity than other offshore energy development activities that have been regulated by BOEM and its predecessor agency. Given the new technologies, questions emerge around how much advanced education and outreach is appropriate around permitting and leasing, with whom, and how.
PACE Outreach Principal Morgan Lommele, as part of a Kearns & West team, conducted Internet and interview-based research to learn how other federal agencies have led their own engagement and outreach, and coordinated with other sectors involved (e.g. applicants, local communities, Tribal interests, fishing interests, navigation interests). The team developed a final report that included an informed plan of action for offshore renewable energy education and outreach, which enables more meaningful public engagement during the regulatory process.
Morgan is also in the process of developing a “Citizen’s Guide on BOEM Renewable Energy Leasing,” a guide to BOEM’s leasing and permitting process specifically for Oregon, which outlines how and when the public and interested stakeholders can be involved. She is also conducting a stakeholder assessment focused on Coos Bay, Oregon, where Principle Power has proposed the WindFloat demonstration project. This involves developing a list of stakeholders to be interviewed methods for the assessment; preparing an interview guide; conducting up to 30 interviews; and summarizing the findings, analysis, and recommendations.
2013 – present