Albemarle Tradewinds October 2016 Final

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Long-studied offshore wind farm plan presented at Jennette’s
By Rob Morris
Leasing tracts for offshore wind farms was the topic of a gathering at Jennette’s Pier
Wednesday night as federal officials move forward to find companies interested in pursuing
technology in it early stages in U.S. coastal waters.
A small audience heard officials from the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
outline the steps toward awarding leases in an area about 24 miles off of Kitty Hawk where
massive turbines would be built to generate electricity.
Summaries of studies examining how the farms could affect marine life, birds and shipping
traffic were among the topics covered in poster boards set up around the room.
A 60-day period for commenting on the leasing ends Oct. 17, with the next step determining
if there is competition for the 21.5 blocks covering 122,405 acres along the Continental
Shelf. If no more than one company is interested, the federal government can negotiate
one-on-one rather than conduct an auction, according to BOEM. The federal government
announced in August that it was offering the leases. BOEM released an Environmental
Assessment on Sept. 17, 2015, concluding that issuing commercial wind leases would not
significantly affect the environment.
A timetable leading up to the lease auction formalizes plans that have been under study
for several years by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management. The two agencies worked with a task force that included state entities to
designate the Kitty Hawk Wind Energy area. Beginning about 24 miles offshore, the area
extends generally about 25 miles to the southeast.
The area was moved farther offshore at the urging of the Town of Kitty Hawk.
BOEM has identified companies that qualify for bidding, and they will be required to tell the
federal government if they are still interested. Other companies can submit their qualifications
and ask to be included. After the leases are awarded, more study and planning will be
required if a company wants to move ahead with construction.
While offshore wind farms are common overseas, the U.S. is still in the early stages of
developing them. So far, the BOE has awarded 11 commercial wind leases off the New
England and Mid-Atlantic coasts, generating about $16 million on more than a million acres
in federal waters.
You can also Mail or deliver in an envelope labeled “Comments on North Carolina PSN &
RFI” to:
BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs
45600 Woodland Road, VAM-OREP
Sterling, Virginia, 20166
Comments can be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov. In the entry entitled,
“Enter Keyword or ID,” enter BOEM-2016-0045, then click “search.”
Follow the instructions to submit public comments.
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Roanoke Island Festival Park
October 1- 31
Roanoke Island Festival Park is an interactive family attraction that celebrates
the firstEnglish settlement in America. Visitors board and explore
the park’s centerpiece, a 16th Century representational ship, Elizabeth
II. Climb aboard and help costumed 16th Century sailors. Try traditional
woodworking, play Elizabethan games, and watch the blacksmith at the
Settlement Site. Discover 400 years of Outer Banks history in the interactive
Roanoke Adventure Museum. See The Legend of Two-Path, a mini-movie
about Native Americans Manteo and Wanchese. Experience the American
Indian Town exhibit that includes a wide variety of true-to-scale structures,
role-play environments, and places to explore, plant, dance, build and play.
The Museum Store offers historically themed gift merchandise and much
more. Enjoy the Fossil Pit full of treasures, and the marsh-side Boardwalks
that surround the site. November 22, 2013 marks the 30th Anniversary of
the Christening and Launching of the Elizabeth II, the Parks 16th Century
representative sailing ship. (252) 475-1500.
30 Albemarle Tradewinds October 2016 albemarletradewinds.com