US seeks more public comment on Hawaii offshore wind areas

The US Department of the Interior (DOI) is extending the public comment period an additional 30 days until 7 September in Hawaii to obtain stakeholder comments that will help determine issues and alternatives that it will analyse to assess potential environmental impacts tied to issuing future offshore wind leases there.

Last month, DOI’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) held public meetings in Oahu to detail its designation of two areas off the coast of Oahu for potential commercial energy development.

The areas are the 240-sq-mile (621.6 sq km) Oahu North and 517-sq-mile Oahu South. They encompass some of the best wind speeds around the island – a range of 8.5-9.0

Wind

US seeks more public comment on Hawaii offshore wind areas