[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 56 (Monday, March 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16050-16053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06295]
[[Page 16050]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM-2013-0090; MMAA104000]
Potential Marine Hydrokinetic (MHK) Research Lease on the Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore Oregon; Request for Competitive
Interest
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Public Notice of an Unsolicited Request for an OCS Renewable
Energy Research Lease, Request for Competitive Interest (RFCI), Request
for Public Comment.
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SUMMARY: The purpose of this public notice is to: (1) Describe the
proposal submitted to BOEM by the Northwest National Marine Renewable
Energy Center at Oregon State University (NNMREC-OSU) to acquire an OCS
lease for MHK research activities; (2) solicit submissions of
indications of interest in obtaining a renewable energy lease for MHK
research or commercial activities on the OCS offshore Oregon in the
area described in this notice; and (3) solicit public input regarding
the area described in this notice, the potential environmental
consequences of MHK energy development in the area, and multiple uses
of the area.
On June 17, 2013, BOEM received an unsolicited request from NNMREC-
OSU for an MHK OCS research lease offshore Oregon. The objective of
NNMREC-OSU is to obtain a lease under 30 CFR 585.238 for renewable
energy research activities, including MHK device installation and
operational testing and the installation of monitoring equipment. The
purpose of NNMREC-OSU's proposed project, the ``Pacific Marine Energy
Center--South Energy Test Site,'' is to design, develop and demonstrate
a grid-connected MHK research facility on the OCS approximately five
nautical miles (nmi) southwest of Newport, Oregon. The project would
consist of four test sites (or berths), with each test berth capable of
testing single or multiple MHK devices and equipped with its own subsea
cable to transmit energy, as well as performance and environmental
data, from the test berth to an onshore control center. Each of the
test berth electrical cables would connect at a single submerged point,
with a single transmission export cable capable of transmitting up to
10 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the mainland. The export cable
would cross the OCS and state submerged lands. Additional information
on NNMREC-OSU's unsolicited lease request can be viewed at:
www.boem.gov/Oregon.
This RFCI is published pursuant to subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS
Lands Act, as amended by section 388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(EPAct) (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3)), and the implementing regulations at 30
CFR 585.238. Subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS Lands Act requires that OCS
renewable energy leases, easements and rights-of-way be issued ``on a
competitive basis unless the Secretary determines after public notice
of a proposed lease, easement, or right-of-way that there is no
competitive interest.'' 30 CFR 585.238(c) states that BOEM may issue
research leases if ``no competitive interest exists''. This RFCI
provides such public notice for the proposed lease area requested by
NNMREC-OSU and invites the submission of indications of interest. BOEM
is soliciting submissions of interest for MHK energy development only
with this notice. BOEM will consider the responses to this public
notice to determine whether competitive interest exists for the area
requested by NNMREC-OSU, as required by 43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3). Parties
wishing to obtain a lease for MHK development for the area described
herein under ``Description of the Proposed Lease Area'' should submit
detailed and specific information as described in the section entitled,
``Required Indication of Interest Information.''
BOEM has jurisdiction to issue leases on the OCS for MHK projects
under subsection 8(p) of the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 13376(p)), and
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has jurisdiction to
issue licenses under Part I of the Federal Power Act (FPA), 16 U.S.C.
792-823A (2006) for the construction and operation of hydrokinetic
projects on the OCS.
This announcement also requests that interested and affected
parties comment and provide information about site conditions and
multiple uses within the area identified in this notice that would be
relevant to the proposed project or its potential impacts. A detailed
description of the proposed lease area can be found in the section of
this notice entitled, ``Description of the Area.''
DATES: If you are submitting an indication of interest in acquiring an
MHK lease for the proposed lease area, your submission must be sent by
mail, postmarked no later than April 23, 2014 for your submission to be
considered. If you are providing comments or other submissions of
information, you may send them by mail, postmarked by this same date,
or you may submit them through the Federal Rulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov, also by this same date.
Submission Procedures: If you are interested in submitting an
indication of interest in a lease, please submit it by mail to the
following address: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific OCS
Region, Office of Strategic Resources, 770 Paseo Camarillo, Second
Floor, Camarillo, California, 93010. Submissions must be postmarked by
April 23, 2014 to be considered by BOEM for the purposes of determining
competitive interest. In addition to a paper copy of your submission,
include an electronic copy; BOEM considers an Adobe PDF file stored on
a compact disc (CD) to be an acceptable format for submitting an
electronic copy. BOEM will list the parties submitting indications of
interest on the BOEM Web site after the 30-day comment period has
closed.
If you are submitting comments and other information concerning the
proposed lease area, you may use either of the following two methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the
entry entitled, ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter BOEM-2013-0090, and then
click ``search.'' Follow the instructions to submit public comments and
view supporting and related materials available for this notice.
2. Alternatively, comments may be submitted by mail to the
following address: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific OCS
Region, Office of Strategic Resources, 770 Paseo Camarillo, Second
Floor, Camarillo, California, 93010.
If you wish to protect the confidentiality of your submissions or
comments, clearly mark the relevant sections and request BOEM treat
them as confidential. Please label privileged or confidential
information ``Contains Privileged or Confidential Information,'' and
consider submitting such information as a separate attachment.
Treatment of confidential information is addressed in the section of
this notice entitled, ``Privileged or Confidential Information.'' BOEM
will post all comments on www.regulations.gov unless labeled as
privileged or confidential. Information that is not labeled as
privileged or confidential will be regarded by BOEM as suitable for
public release.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jean Thurston, Renewable Energy
Program Specialist, BOEM, Pacific OCS Region, Office of Strategic
Resources,
[[Page 16051]]
770 Paseo Camarillo, Second Floor, Camarillo, California 93010, Phone:
(805) 389-7585.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose of This RFCI
Responses to this public notice will allow BOEM to determine
whether there is competitive interest in acquiring an OCS MHK lease in
the proposed lease area. In addition, this notice provides an
opportunity for interested stakeholders to comment on the proposed
lease area, the proposed project and any potential impacts MHK energy
development may have in the area. BOEM may use comments received to
further identify and refine the area requested and inform future
environmental analyses related to the project.
Determination of Competitive Interest and Leasing Process
After the publication of this announcement, BOEM will evaluate
indications of competitive interest in acquiring an MHK lease in the
proposed lease area. At the conclusion of the comment period for this
public notice, BOEM will review the submissions received and undertake
a completeness review for each of those submissions and a
qualifications review for each of the nominating entities. BOEM will
then make a determination as to whether competitive interest exists.
If BOEM determines that there is no competitive interest in the
proposed lease area, it will publish a determination of no competitive
interest in the Federal Register. At that point, BOEM may decide to
proceed with the noncompetitive lease issuance process for a research
lease pursuant to 30 CFR 585.238. If BOEM determines that there is
competitive interest, then it may move forward with the leasing process
outlined in 30 CFR 585.211.
Whether following competitive or non-competitive procedures,
NNMREC-OSU would need to submit any required plan(s) to BOEM and an
application for a license to FERC. BOEM would consult with the BOEM
Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force and comply with
all applicable requirements before making a decision whether or not to
issue a lease. BOEM would coordinate and consult, as appropriate, with
FERC and other relevant federal agencies, affected tribes, affected
state agencies and affected local governments during the lease issuance
process.
Description of the Proposed Research Lease Area
The proposed research lease area is located off the coast of
Oregon, beginning approximately 5 nmi southwest of Newport, Oregon.
From its most northwest point (Point number 27, Table 2) the area
extends approximately 5.18 nmi south and 5.18 nmi east. The project
area consists of two full OCS blocks and two partial OCS blocks. The
entire area is approximately 33 square miles (20,994 acres or 8496
hectares). The project footprint is anticipated to be smaller than the
area described in this RFCI. BOEM may remove any lease blocks, or sub-
blocks, from the area prior to issuing a lease if it is larger than
needed to develop the project. The table below describes the OCS lease
blocks and sub-blocks included within the area of interest.
Table 1--List of OCS Blocks Included in the Request for Competitive Interest
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Protraction Block
Protraction name number number Sub block
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Newport Valley.................................. NL 10-10 6481 A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P.
Newport Valley.................................. NL 10-10 6531 A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P.
Salem........................................... NL 10-11 6451 A,B,C,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P.
Salem........................................... NL 10-11 6501 A,B,C,D,E,F,G,I,J,K,M,N.
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The boundary of the proposed lease area follows the points listed
in Table 2 in clockwise order. Point numbers 1 and 35 are the same.
Coordinates are provided in X, Y (eastings, northings) UTM Zone 10N,
NAD 83 and geographic (latitude, longitude), NAD 83.
Table 2--List of Boundary Points Included in the Request for Competitive
Interest
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Point
number X (Easting) Y (Northing) Latitude Longitude
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1 407600 4939200 44.600214 -124.164292
2 407600 4938000 44.589413 -124.164076
3 408800 4938000 44.589566 -124.148961
4 408800 4936800 44.578765 -124.148749
5 408800 4935600 44.567964 -124.148536
6 408800 4934400 44.557163 -124.148324
7 408800 4933200 44.546362 -124.148111
8 407600 4933200 44.546209 -124.163215
9 407600 4932000 44.535408 -124.163000
10 407600 4930800 44.524607 -124.162785
11 406400 4930800 44.524452 -124.177883
12 406400 4929600 44.513652 -124.177665
13 405200 4929600 44.513495 -124.192760
14 404000 4929600 44.513336 -124.207855
15 402800 4929600 44.513176 -124.222950
16 402015 4929600 44.513069 -124.232819
17 401600 4929600 44.513013 -124.238044
18 400400 4929600 44.512848 -124.253139
19 399200 4929600 44.512682 -124.268233
20 399200 4929600 44.523482 -124.268468
21 399200 4930800 44.534283 -124.268702
22 399200 4932000 44.545083 -124.268937
23 399200 4933200 44.555884 -124.269172
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24 399200 4934400 44.566684 -124.269406
25 399200 4935600 44.577485 -124.269641
26 399200 4936800 44.588285 -124.269877
27 399200 4938000 44.599086 -124.270112
28 400400 4939200 44.599253 -124.254995
29 401600 4939200 44.599418 -124.239878
30 402800 4939200 44.599581 -124.224761
31 403847 4939200 44.599722 -124.211568
32 404000 4939200 44.599742 -124.209644
33 405200 4939200 44.599901 -124.194527
34 406400 4939200 44.600058 -124.179409
35 407600 4939200 44.600214 -124.164292
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Map of the Area
A map of the area proposed by NNMREC-OSU and included in this RFCI
can be found at the following URL: www.boem.gov/Oregon. A large-scale
map of the proposed lease area showing boundaries of the area with the
numbered blocks is available from BOEM at the following address: Bureau
of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific OCS Region, Office of Strategic
Resources, 770 Paseo Camarillo, Second Floor, Camarillo, California,
93010.
Department of Defense Activities and Stipulations
The Department of Defense (DOD) conducts offshore testing, training
and operations on the OCS and may request that BOEM condition
activities that might take place in the proposed lease area. BOEM will
consult with DOD regarding potential issues concerning offshore
testing, training and operational activities, and will develop any
necessary stipulations to mitigate the potential effects of renewable
energy activities on DOD activities in the proposed lease area.
Required Indication of Interest Information
If you intend to submit an indication of interest in an MHK lease
for the area identified in this notice, you must provide the following:
(1) A statement that you wish to acquire an MHK lease within the
proposed lease area. For BOEM to consider your indication of interest,
it must include a proposal for the installation of one or more MHK
devices within the proposed lease area. Any request for an MHK lease
located outside of the proposed lease area should be submitted
separately pursuant to 30 CFR 585.230 or 30 CFR 585.238;
(2) A general description of your objectives and the facilities
that you would use to achieve those objectives;
(3) A general schedule of proposed activities, including those
leading to commercial operations, as applicable;
(4) Available and pertinent data and information concerning
renewable energy resources and environmental conditions in the area you
wish to lease, including energy and resource data and information used
to evaluate the area of interest. Where applicable, spatial information
should be submitted in a format compatible with ArcGIS 9.3 in a
geographic coordinate system (NAD 83);
(5) Documentation demonstrating that you are legally qualified to
hold a lease as set forth in 30 CFR 585.106 and 107. Examples of the
documentation appropriate for demonstrating your legal qualifications
and related guidance can be found in Chapter 2 and Appendix B of the
Guidelines for the Minerals Management Service Renewable Energy
Framework available at: http://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/Regulatory-Information/Index.aspx. Legal qualification documents will
be placed in an official file that may be made available for public
review. If you wish any part of your legal qualification documentation
to be kept confidential, clearly identify what should be kept
confidential, and submit it under separate cover (see ``Protection of
Privileged or Confidential Information Section,'' below); and
(6) Documentation demonstrating that you are technically and
financially capable of constructing, operating, maintaining and
decommissioning the facilities described in your submission. Guidance
regarding the documentation that could be used to demonstrate your
technical and financial qualifications can be found at: http://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/Regulatory-Information/Index.aspx. If you wish that any part of your technical and financial
qualification documentation be kept confidential, clearly identify what
should be kept confidential, and submit it under separate cover (see
``Protection of Privileged or Confidential Information Section,''
below).
Your complete submission, including the items identified in (1)
through (6) above, must be provided to BOEM in both paper and
electronic formats. BOEM considers an Adobe PDF file stored on a CD to
be an acceptable format for submitting an electronic copy.
It is critical that you provide a complete submission of interest
so that BOEM may consider your submission in a timely manner. If BOEM
reviews your submission and determines it is incomplete, BOEM will
inform you of this determination in writing and describe the
information BOEM needs from you in order for BOEM to deem your
submission complete. You will be given 15 business days from the date
of the letter to provide the requested information. If you do not meet
this deadline, or if BOEM determines your second submission is also
insufficient, BOEM may deem your submission invalid. In such a case,
BOEM would not consider your submission.
Requested Information From Interested or Affected Parties
BOEM is also requesting from the public and other interested or
affected parties specific and detailed comments regarding the
following:
(1) Geological and geophysical conditions (including seabed
conditions and shallow hazards) in the area described in this notice;
(2) Historic properties, archaeological, historic and/or cultural
resources potentially affected by the development of the area
identified in this notice;
(3) Other uses of the area described in this notice, including
navigation (commercial and recreational vessel usage) and commercial
and recreational fishing; recreational activities (e.g., wildlife
viewing and scenic areas), scientific research and utilities and
communications infrastructure (e.g., undersea cables);
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(4) Other relevant environmental information, including but not
limited to: protected species and habitats, marine mammals, sea
turtles, birds and fish; and
(5) Socioeconomic information, such as demographics and employment,
or information relevant to environmental justice considerations.
Protection of Privileged or Confidential Information
Freedom of Information Act
BOEM will protect privileged or confidential information that you
submit as required by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Exemption
4 of FOIA applies to trade secrets and commercial or financial
information that you submit that is privileged or confidential. If you
wish to protect the confidentiality of such information, clearly mark
it, and request that BOEM treat it as confidential. BOEM will not
disclose such information, subject to the requirements of FOIA. Please
label privileged or confidential information, ``Contains Confidential
Information,'' and consider submitting such information as a separate
attachment.
BOEM will not treat as confidential any aggregate summaries of such
information or comments not containing such information. Additionally,
BOEM will not treat as confidential: (1) The legal title of the
nominating entity (for example, the name of your company); or (2) the
geographic location of nominated facilities. Information that is not
labeled as privileged or confidential will be regarded by BOEM as
suitable for public release.
Section 304 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470w-
3(a))
BOEM is required, after consultation with the Secretary of the
Interior, to withhold the location, character or ownership of historic
resources, if it determines that disclosure may, among other things,
cause a significant invasion of privacy, risk harm to the historic
resources or impede the use of a traditional religious site by
practitioners. Tribal entities and other interested parties should
designate information that they wish to be held as confidential.
Dated: March 13, 2014.
Tommy P. Beaudreau,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2014-06295 Filed 3-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P