Abstract:
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 empowered the Secretary of the Interior through
the Minerals Management Service to regulate the development of renewable energy on
the Outer Continental Shelf of the United States. The goal of this paper is to review the
development of offshore wind energy and develop a set of recommendations for the
Minerals Management Service as it proceeds with the development of regulations for
renewable energy generation on the Outer Continental Shelf. In creating
recommendations for the Minerals Management Service, the historical uses of the Outer
Continental Shelf, proposals for wind energy development in the United States, and wind
energy development in Europe were reviewed. A substantial portion of this Masters
Project was submitted to the Minerals Management Service in the public comment period
that closed on February 28, 2006. A copy of the comments as submitted to the Minerals
Management Service is available from the author upon request.
