[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 28, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 81637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-32672]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement
Commercial Lease for the Cape Wind Energy Project
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability (``NOA'') of a Commercial Lease of
Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer
Continental Shelf (``OCS'') for the Cape Wind Energy Project.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to its authority under the Outer Continental Shelf
Lands Act (``OCSLA''), 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq., as amended; and the
Renewable Energy and Alternate Uses of Existing Facilities on the Outer
Continental Shelf Rules, 30 CFR part 285 (``Rule''), BOEMRE has issued
a Commercial Lease (``Lease'') for an area of approximately 46 square
miles on the OCS in Nantucket Sound off the coast of Cape Cod,
Massachusetts. This NOA is being published to announce the availability
of the Lease in accordance with the requirements of 30 CFR 285.231. The
Lease is for the Cape Wind Energy Project (``Project'') which grants
Cape Wind Associates, LLC, (``CWA'') the exclusive right to conduct
certain activities within the leased area, subject to the terms and
conditions of the Lease, and applicable laws and regulations. The Lease
requires CWA to pay $88,278 in annual rent prior to production, and a
two to seven percent operating fee rate following the start of
production during the 33-year lease (a 5-year site assessment term and
a 28-year commercial operations term). The rent and operating fee are
based on the requirements set forth in 30 CFR part 285, subpart E. The
Project plan calls for 130 wind turbines capable of generating a
maximum electric output of 468 megawatts with an anticipated average
output of 183 megawatts. Construction and operation of the Project
cannot begin until BOEMRE reviews and approves plans submitted by CWA
that detail construction and operation of the Project in accordance
with the Rule.
Authority: The NOA of the Lease issuance is published pursuant
to 30 CFR 285.231.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Cape Wind Energy Project Description
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (``EPAct'') and amendments to the
OCSLA gave the Secretary of the Department of the Interior the
authority to issue leases, easements, and rights-of-way for renewable
energy activities on the OCS. The Secretary delegated this authority to
BOEMRE, formerly the Minerals Management Service. Following passage of
EPAct in 2005, CWA submitted an application for Project to BOEMRE. In
2009, BOEMRE finalized the Rule that governed the issuance of leases,
easements, and rights-of-way and the regulation of offshore renewable
energy activities.
The Project plan calls for 130 3.6 megawatt wind turbine
generators, each with a maximum blade height of 440 feet, to be
arranged in a grid pattern on the OCS in Nantucket Sound. The
transmission cables for the Project, if approved, would pass through
Massachusetts' submerged lands. With a maximum electric output of 468
megawatts and an average anticipated output of 183 megawatts, the
Project is expected to generate electricity equivalent to three-
quarters of the Cape and nearby islands' electricity needs. Each of the
130 wind turbine generators would generate electricity independently.
Solid dielectric submarine inner-array cables from each wind turbine
generator would interconnect within the array and terminate on an
electrical service platform (``ESP''), which would serve as the common
interconnection point for all of the wind turbines. The Project plan
calls for a submarine transmission cable system approximately 12.5
miles in length from the ESP to a landfall location in Yarmouth,
Massachusetts (7.6 miles of which would fall within the state of
Massachusetts' jurisdiction).
Availability of the Lease:
To obtain a single printed copy of the Lease, you may contact
BOEMRE, Office of Offshore Alternative Energy Programs (Mail Stop
4090), 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. An electronic
copy of the Lease is available at BOEMRE's Web site at: http://www.boemre.gov/offshore/RenewableEnergy/CapeWind.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management,
Regulation and Enforcement, Ms. Maureen A. Bornholdt, Program Manager,
Office of Offshore Alternative Energy Programs, MS 4090, 381 Elden
Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817, (703) 787-1300.
Dated: December 20, 2010.
L. Renee Orr,
Acting Associate Director for Offshore Energy and Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 2010-32672 Filed 12-27-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P