Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A list of frequently asked questions about the OCS Renewable Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about the OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS. Click a question below to see the answer.
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What is an EIS?
"EIS" is the abbreviation for environmental impact statement, a document prepared to describe the effects of proposed activities on the environment. "Environment," in this case, is defined as the natural and physical environment and the relationship of people with that environment. This means that the "environment" considered in an EIS includes land, water, air, structures, living organisms, environmental values at the site, and social, cultural, and economic factors.
An "impact" is a change or consequence that results from an activity. Impacts can be positive or negative, or both. An EIS describes impacts, as well as ways to "mitigate" impacts. To "mitigate" means to lessen or remove negative impacts.
Therefore, an EIS is a document that describes the impacts on the environment as a result of a proposed action. It also describes impacts of alternatives, as well as plans to mitigate the impacts.
For more information on the OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS, visit About the OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS.
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What is a Programmatic EIS?
A Programmatic EIS evaluates the environmental impacts of broad agency actions, such as the development of programs or the setting of national policies. Establishment of the Alternative Energy and Alternate Use Program is a broad agency action, and involves defining and implementing a program that sets the stage for site-specific actions to follow.
For more information on the OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS, visit About the OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS.
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Why is an EIS needed for alternative energy and alternate use development in Federal waters on the Outer Continental Shelf?
The Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58 (the Act), enacted August 8, 2005, gave discretionary authority to the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to develop and implement the Alternative Energy and Alternate Use Program through rulemaking. The program will be administered by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) a DOI bureau.
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) specifies when an environmental impact statement (EIS) must be prepared. NEPA requires that an EIS be prepared for major federal actions with the potential for significant impact on the quality of the human environment.
MMS has determined that establishment of the Alternative Energy and Alternate Use Program constitutes a major federal action that may have a significant impact upon the environment within the meaning of NEPA, thus MMS prepared a programmatic EIS.
For more information, visit Why the Programmatic EIS Is Needed.
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What is the scope of the analysis in the OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS?
This EIS is focused on alternative energy technologies and areas about which industry has expressed a potential interest and ability to develop or evaluate from 2007-2014. The types of alternative energy projects included in this EIS are offshore wind, wave, and ocean current energy capture technologies. Other energy sources such as solar power and the production of hydrogen are not expected to be economically viable on the OCS for research, demonstration, or commercial ventures within the next 5 to 7 years and, therefore, are not included in this analysis. For the purpose of analysis the applicable areas on the OCS that may support the development of wind and wave energy sources during the time frame of analysis were considered to be the entire continental U.S. OCS, whereas the only area that is considered likely for the development of ocean current energy capture technologies over the same time frame is the south east portion of the eastern continental U.S OCS through which the Florida Current flows. The OCS areas off the coasts of Alaska and Hawaii are not analyzed in this programmatic EIS for any of the technologies.
Alternate uses of existing oil and natural gas platforms may include, but would not be limited to alternative energy production, aquaculture, and research and monitoring. At this time, oil and gas structures are present only on the OCS in the Gulf of Mexico and southern California (none are in the Atlantic). Therefore, alternate use of existing structures is limited to facilities in the Gulf of Mexico and southern California over the next 5 to 7 years. The MMS will work closely with other agencies with relevant jurisdiction and/or expertise in addressing these alternate uses.
For more information, visit What's In the OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS.
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What alternatives are addressed in the Final Programmatic EIS?
Four alternatives are considered in the Final Programmatic EIS: 1) the proposed action (i.e., the establishment of the Alternative Energy and Alternate Use Program on the OCS through rulemaking)(i.e., development of a program and issuance of regulations governing activities related to granting of a lease, easement, or right-of way for production of alternative energy on the OCS; and issuance of regulations for alternate use of existing oil and gas facilities on the OCS); 2) a case-by-case alternative (i.e., the MMS would consider individual project proposals for alternative energy or alternate use on a case-by-case basis but would not issue formal regulations)(i.e., no development of a program and issuance of regulations related to granting of a lease, easement, or right-of way for production of alternative energy on the OCS and for the use of existing facilities; however, granting of a lease, easement or right-of-way for the production of alternative energy on the OCS and for the alternate use of existing facilities could occur and would be assessed on a case-by-case basis); and, 3) a no action alternative (i.e., the MMS would not approve leases, easements, or rights-of-way for any alternative energy facility on the Federal OCS or alternate use of existing offshore facilities); and 4) a preferred alternative (i.e., a combination of the proposed action and the case-by-case alternative)(i.e., no development of a program and issuance of regulations related to granting of a lease, easement, or right-of way for production of alternative energy on the OCS and for the use of existing facilities, including no development of any alternative energy facility on the Federal OCS and no alternate use of existing offshore facilities).
What is assessed in the Final Programmatic EIS?
Potential impacts for energy development projects on the OCS are analyzed for the following five phases of development: technology testing, site characterization, construction, operation, and decommissioning. Potential mitigation measures are identified for each of the phases. The impact areas considered are: Ocean Surface and Sediments, Air Quality, Ocean Currents and Movements, Water Quality, Acoustic Environment, Electromagnetic Fields, Marine Mammals, Marine and Coastal Birds, Terrestrial Biota, Fish Resources and Essential Fish Habitat, Sea Turtles, Coastal Habitat, Seafloor Habitats, Areas of Special Concern, Military Use Areas, Transportation, Socioeconomic Resources, Archaeological Resources, Land Use and Existing Infrastructure, Visual Resources, Tourism and Recreation, Fisheries, and Nonroutine Conditions. Potential impacts and mitigation measures are characterized for the following types of alternate use of existing oil and gas platforms: Alternate Energy Production, Aquaculture, and Research and Development. Discussion of potential high level cumulative impacts is also provided.
What are the impacts estimated in the Final Programmatic EIS?
In general, impacts from all phases of development and production of alternative energy sources on the OCS (i.e., technology testing, site characterization, construction, operation, and decommissioning) are expected to be negligible to moderate if the proper siting and mitigation measures are followed. Human activity on the OCS related to these activities is relatively low, with only a few support vessels in operation at any one time during the highest activity period (construction). Impacts from spills of oil and other hazardous material from vessels or platforms on the OCS are expected to be negligible to minor with proper implementation of oil spill prevention and response plans as required by the MMS. However, impacts from a spill as a consequence of a vessel collision could be moderate to major. Vessel collisions with marine mammals are expected to result in minor impacts but could have major impacts in a few instances involving threatened or endangered species.
Rehabilitation and modification of oil and gas platforms for an alternate use during or after oil and gas production has ceased could result in both beneficial and adverse impacts. Impacts from any alternate use of these platforms could include fisheries enhancement and economic development. Removal of a platform structure from the OCS could result in the destruction of the ecological system that developed surrounding that platform's structure.
Because the precise locations of potential new alternative energy facilities or alternate use program facilities are not known at this time, the cumulative impacts from such facilities can not be precisely determined. However, depending on the location chosen and the proximity of new facilities to each other, the cumulative impacts could potentially be important. These impacts would be evaluated and considered during additional site-specific environmental reviews that would be done for new alternative energy and alternate use facilities.
For more information, visit What's In the OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS.
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How long did it take to complete the OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS?
Preparation of the OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS is a multistep process that included publication of a draft EIS, a final EIS, and will include a Record of Decision.
Approximate dates for important steps in the Programmatic EIS process are as follows:
- Public Scoping Comment Period: May–July 2006
- Draft Programmatic EIS Published: March 2007
- Draft Programmatic EIS Public Comment Period: March-May 2007
- Final Programmatic EIS Published: November 2007
- Record of Decision Published: December 2007
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How did the public participate in the OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS process?
The public was provided several opportunities to participate in the Programmatic EIS process. The public provided information and comments about the scope of the Draft Programmatic EIS, and commented on the Draft Programmatic EIS when it was published. Mmebers of the public attended public meetings for the Programmatic EIS, downloaded or read the Programmatic EIS and related documents in public reading rooms, and learned about the Programmatic EIS by using this Web site.
For more information, visit Getting Involved.
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How will the public be involved with alternative energy or alternate use development projects on federal waters on the Outer Continental Shelf after the Programmatic EIS is completed?
The public can become involved directly with individual development projects as they undergo required site-specific environmental analyses.
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How can I obtain a copy of the Final OCS Alternative Energy Programmatic EIS?
The Final Programmatic EIS is available online in a downloadable and searchable format. There is also an online order form for obtaining a CD-ROM copy of the Final Programmatic EIS.
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