NOAA’s National Ocean Service National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, in partnership with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, is working to build on existing spatial planning capacity in the United States Gulf of Mexico region.
Through a Request for Information issued during mid-December 2024, the agencies are seeking public input to identify coastal and marine spatial data or other critical information to inform spatial analyses for transmission planning (with an emphasis on offshore wind) in state and Federal waters off Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The input received will be used to inform potential coastal and ocean development activities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico region, such as renewable energy development.
- Interested persons are invited to provide input in response to the Request for Information through January 24, 2025.
- Verbal input will be accepted during a public meeting to be held at the InterContinental Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 14-15, 2025.
For instructions on how to submit data and registration details on the in-person meeting, click HERE.
NOAA is particularly interested in receiving input concerning the items listed below:
1. Specific datasets related to ocean sectors, natural resources, and/or human activities recommended for NOAA’s use in coastal and marine spatial studies.
Major concerns related to use of any specific datasets that may be used in coastal and marine spatial studies.
2. Major concerns related to gaps in scientific knowledge or data that could impact coastal and marine spatial planning efforts.
3. Specific data or information recommended for NOAA or other partners collect, if it is not currently available or has not been previously collected.
4. Ways in which NOAA can better engage and collaborate with the public and local communities to promote economic, social, and ecological resilience as well as protect trust resources.
5. Ways in which NOAA can build upon existing capacity and resources for regional ocean spatial planning.
