Browsing by Subject "Outer Continental Shelf"

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Open Access
Evaluating the Potential for Offshore Oil and Gas Production in North Carolina
(2009-04-24T11:37:16Z) Moore, Kathleen
Recurring energy and economic crises promote legislation and government action focused on the development of domestic energy sources to alleviate foreign dependency and create jobs for a rising percentage of unemployed Americans. Within the past year regulatory changes produced the potential for oil and gas production along the outer continental shelf of North Carolina. Exploring the history of development and recognizing existing mandates aid in understanding the full range of issues involved in the offshore leasing and production process. Examining the six steps of a complete production cycle allows for the outline of activities to provide a clear timeline for the risk of various impacts. Development procedures along the North Carolina outer continental shelf could significantly alter the economic and environmental conditions of coastal communities. Potential impacts are not limited to benefits for the economy and risks for the environment but include trade-offs within each sector. In striving for effective and successful management of offshore resources, emphasis should be placed on finding a balance between growth and stability. Future research action should emphasize environmental risks and feasibility analysis with a focus on understanding socioeconomic aspects of development. This compilation of necessary information will provide interested stakeholders an available framework for evaluating offshore energy projects using a policy for endorsing responsible and appropriate responses to a national call for offshore oil production. Although development seems to promise economic and energy dependence relief, an increase of detailed information on the conditions of the coastal community and environment will support a determination for best solution to the current crises.
Open Access
The Creation of a Regulatory Regime for Offshore Wind Energy in the United States
(2006) Peloso, Margaret E.
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.