Geotechnical Investigation Departures for Offshore Wind
(Room Room 1)
17 Oct 18
2:40 PM
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3:40 PM
Tracks:
Continuing Permitting & Leasing Momentum
Offshore wind lease area owners are required to submit a construction and operations plan (“COP”) as part of the 30 CFR part 585 requirements. The COP details all planned facilities and activities that will be required for construction, operation, and decommissioning of the project. Current COP requirements include information pertaining to the sea bed conditions at each foundation location, which would typically be concluded from a detailed geotechnical investigation. For offshore projects, undertaking an expensive and time consuming detailed geotechnical investigation prior to having received COP approval is a significant commercial risk. Therefore, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (“BOEM”) is currently considering a rulemaking to deregulate, reform, and streamline the current 30 CFR 585 regulations. This rulemaking may include a revision to the geotechnical survey provisions in 30 CFR 585.