The Central Atlantic 2 call area spans 13,476,805 acres off the coasts of five states. Credit: Jacopo Landi / Shutterstock.

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced a call for information and nominations for a second regional offshore wind energy sale in the Central Atlantic, known as Central Atlantic 2.

The initiative seeks public input on potential commercial wind energy development off the coasts of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.

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The second Central Atlantic Call is a preliminary step in the leasing process, expanding on the groundwork from the inaugural Central Atlantic lease sale on 14 August 2024.

BOEM will officially publish the call for information and nominations in the Federal Register on 22 August 2024, commencing 60 days for public commentary.

Interested parties can submit nominations and comments until 21 October 2024.

The agency has also planned a series of virtual and in-person public meetings for September and October, including a virtual Task Force meeting on 10 and 11 September.

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Following the close of the public comment period, the BOEM will assess the commercial nominations and public feedback received.

It will incorporate insights from Tribal consultations and the Central Atlantic Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force to evaluate the suitability of the call area for offshore wind energy projects and to pinpoint potential wind energy areas (WEAs).

BOEM will then undertake environmental assessments of the WEAs, in collaboration with federal agencies, tribes, state and local governments, and key stakeholders.

Once these reviews and consultations are complete, the BOEM may propose a competitive lease sale for designated areas within the WEAs.

The Central Atlantic 2 call area spans 13,476,805 acres off the coasts of five states. Its breadth allows for adaptability to reduce conflicts with other maritime activities, including commercial fishing, military operations and shipping routes.

BOEM will work alongside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science to identify potential conflicts and inform decisions on the most suitable locations for WEAs.

BOEM director Elizabeth Klein stated: “Today’s announcement kicks off the process for a second potential auction in the Central Atlantic and provides an important avenue to solicit information as we identify potential areas that may be suitable for future offshore wind energy leasing.

“BOEM looks forward to building upon years of working with ocean users, tribal governments, and local, state, and federal agencies as we drive toward achieving the ambitious goals of the Biden-Harris administration to fight climate change and create good-paying jobs.”

In August 2024, BOEM concluded its environmental evaluation for prospective offshore wind energy projects off the coast of Oregon.