1 Energy Policy Act of 2005 Amended Section 8 of OCSLA Amended Section 8 of OCSLA Gave MMS authority over offshore renewable energy leasing Gave MMS authority over offshore renewable energy leasing Wind Wind Ocean wave Ocean wave Ocean current Ocean current Solar Solar Hydrogen production Hydrogen production

MMS Status Update Finalized renewable energy regulations in April Finalized renewable energy regulations in April Executed 4 Interim Policy leases in November Executed 4 Interim Policy leases in November IP leases authorize the installation of meteorological towers IP leases authorize the installation of meteorological towers 3 offshore New Jersey, 1 offshore Delaware 3 offshore New Jersey, 1 offshore Delaware Received 2 applications for commercial wind leases offshore Virginia Received 2 applications for commercial wind leases offshore Virginia Federal/State Task Force meetings Federal/State Task Force meetings Delaware – October 29 Delaware – October 29 Rhode Island – November 17 Rhode Island – November 17 Massachusetts – November 19 Massachusetts – November 19 Virginia – December 8 Virginia – December 8

Meteorological Data Collection Met tower data will feed into National Data Buoy Center Met tower data will feed into National Data Buoy Center All ocean, some atmospheric (proprietary) All ocean, some atmospheric (proprietary) In the future: expand sharing of non-proprietary data In the future: expand sharing of non-proprietary data Integrated Ocean Observing System Integrated Ocean Observing System National Weather Service National Weather Service

MMS Studies to Support Renewable Energy Activities Information needs are identified on an annual basis, and include input from stakeholders in all regions. Information needs are identified on an annual basis, and include input from stakeholders in all regions. Studies provide information needed to support programmatic decisions and feed environmental analyses of planned activities. Studies provide information needed to support programmatic decisions and feed environmental analyses of planned activities. The appropriate level of peer review is incorporated into each project plan. The appropriate level of peer review is incorporated into each project plan. Partnerships and coordination among interested parties and related studies are maximized. Partnerships and coordination among interested parties and related studies are maximized.

Potential Upcoming Areas of Study Visual, Socio-Economic and Cultural Impacts Visual, Socio-Economic and Cultural Impacts Standardized Monitoring Protocols Standardized Monitoring Protocols Marine mammal, Seabird and Turtle Surveys and Monitoring Marine mammal, Seabird and Turtle Surveys and Monitoring Ocean and Environmental Modeling Ocean and Environmental Modeling Effects of Noise Effects of Noise