Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Name	Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Formed	October 1, 2011
Preceding1	Minerals Management Service
Jurisdiction	Federal government of the United States
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Chief1 name	Elizabeth Klein
Chief1 position	Director
Parent department	United States Department of the Interior
Website	www.boem.gov

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior responsible for managing the exploration and development of the nation's offshore resources. It was established in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to separate the conflicting missions of resource management, revenue collection, and safety enforcement. The agency's primary focus is the sustainable and environmentally responsible management of energy and mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf.

History and formation

The agency was formally created on October 1, 2011, as part of a major reorganization of the former Minerals Management Service. This restructuring was a direct response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the critical findings of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. The Obama administration, through then-Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, divided the Minerals Management Service into three separate entities to eliminate inherent conflicts of interest. This historical shift was codified by Secretarial Order 3299, which aimed to strengthen oversight of offshore activities following one of the largest environmental disasters in United States history.

Mission and responsibilities

Its core mission is to manage the responsible development of conventional and renewable energy resources on the Outer Continental Shelf. This includes overseeing oil and gas leasing programs, as well as the nascent offshore wind power industry. The agency is charged with ensuring that development occurs in a manner that considers environmental protection, economic viability, and the interests of Native American tribes and coastal states. A key responsibility is conducting comprehensive environmental reviews under statutes like the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act before authorizing any lease sales or exploration activities.

Organizational structure

The agency is led by a Director, currently Elizabeth Klein, who reports to the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management. Its headquarters in Washington, D.C. houses divisions overseeing national policy, economics, and environmental sciences. Operations are carried out through three regional offices: the Gulf of Mexico Region in New Orleans, the Atlantic Region in Sterling, Virginia, and the Pacific Region in Camarillo, California. Each regional office manages the unique geological, ecological, and stakeholder landscapes of its respective Outer Continental Shelf areas, working closely with other federal agencies like the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and the United States Coast Guard.

Regulatory and leasing programs

The agency administers the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act leasing program for conventional hydrocarbons, conducting area identification, lease sales, and post-lease oversight. It also manages the regulatory framework for the emerging U.S. offshore wind power industry, granting commercial leases and rights-of-way for transmission lines. The process involves publishing proposed lease sales in the Federal Register, conducting competitive bidding, and issuing leases to companies like Shell and BP. For renewable energy, it has established designated Wind Energy Areas and collaborates with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on jurisdictional matters involving hydropower.

Environmental and scientific research

A foundational element of its work is a robust environmental studies program, which funds and conducts scientific research to inform decision-making. Studies assess potential impacts on marine ecosystems, including marine mammals, deep-sea coral communities, and migratory birds, often in partnership with institutions like the United States Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This research is critical for preparing Environmental Impact Statements and Biological Assessments required by law. The agency also uses advanced technologies such as seismic survey analysis and habitat mapping to understand baseline conditions and potential effects of development.

Major projects and initiatives

Notable initiatives include the first commercial-scale offshore wind projects in federal waters, such as the Vineyard Wind project off Massachusetts and the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. In the Gulf of Mexico, it oversees major lease sales and manages thousands of active oil and gas leases. The agency is also pioneering efforts in carbon capture and storage by evaluating potential subsea geologic storage sites on the Outer Continental Shelf. Furthermore, it engages in international collaborations and has conducted resource assessments for methane hydrates and other frontier resources in areas like the Chukchi Sea and the Beaufort Sea.

Category:United States Department of the Interior agencies Category:Organizations established in 2011 Category:Energy in the United States