In a setback to the offshore wind industry, the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement eliminated more than half of the area offshore Massachusetts that will be open to wind energy leasing, the bureau announced Monday.
Comments by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, fishing groups and several members of the state's congressional delegation prompted the decision, BOEM Director Michael Bromwich said in a press release.
"We have heard significant concerns from the people of Massachusetts and we have acted on those concerns," Bromwich said. "BOEMRE is committed to continuing the public engagement process as we look to identify the potential areas for offshore energy development in the federal waters south of Massachusetts."
BOEM could not immediately provide the acreage of the area removed from consideration. In comments filed April 18, Patrick requested that about 50% of the proposed wind leasing area be removed, leaving about 1,300 square miles still available.
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