Atlantic OCS Region
Responsible development of the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) wind and wave energy resources is managed by the Office of Renewable Energy Programs. The Marine Mineral Program oversees the use of OCS non-energy sediment resources. Both programs are active in the Atlantic OCS Region and their offices are located in Sterling, VA. All oil and gas-related activities are administered through the Gulf of Mexico Region.
In July 2014, BOEM issued a Record of Decision (ROD) on the Geological and Geophysical (G&G) Activities in the Mid- and South Atlantic Ocean. Mitigation measures outlined in the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement leading to the ROD are the strongest environmental alternative. The decision does not authorize G&G activities but instead provides a framework for strong mitigation measures to protect marine life.
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The Atlantic OCS Region is divided into four planning areas: North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, Straits of Florida, for administrative purposes under the Oil and Gas Leasing Program. At present, no active OCS oil and gas leases exist in any of these four planning areas, and no oil and gas lease sales are proposed under the current Five Year Leasing Program 2012-2017.
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In 2009, Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the final regulations for the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Renewable Energy Program, which was authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct). Since then, BOEM has worked diligently to oversee responsible renewable energy development in Federal waters and has established Intergovernmental Task Forces to inform such development. To learn more about what is going on in each Atlantic coastal state, click on the link below.
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Loss of sand from the Nation’s beaches, dunes, and barrier islands is a serious problem that affects both the coastal environment and the economy. Beach nourishment and other coastal restoration projects are addressing this problem, and sand from the OCS is often used to stem this erosion.
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The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states are already working through established partnerships - with one another, Federal agency partners, and stakeholders - to better coordinate, share data, and plan for new and expanding uses in an already crowded ocean.
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