NEW ORLEANS - The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is attending the American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) annual conference in New Orleans May 23-26 as part of its growing focus on renewable energy. The BSEE currently provides technical reviews of project plans and facility designs for offshore wind projects in federal waters, and provides input on the technology used for the generation of offshore renewable energy. Building from its technical role, the Bureau is in the process of developing regulations and safety and environmental compliance guidelines for offshore renewable energy facilities. The Bureau is also establishing procedures and criteria for inspections of these facilities.
As its role related to offshore renewables increases, the BSEE is refining a methodology for including offshore wind facility inspection capabilities into existing inspection and compliance programs. The Bureau has extensive experience regulating and driving safety and environmental performance on offshore oil and gas facilities, and will bring this same expertise to bear as it prepares for inspections of offshore renewable energy facilities. Through this effort, the Bureau will ensure that the appropriate regulatory structure is in place to safeguard personnel working on the facilities, the local environment, the facilities themselves, and any surrounding structures. In partnership with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), BSEE will help ensure that these new renewable energy activities are carried out in a manner that allows energy development to proceed in a responsible manner that embraces a culture of safety.
AWEA is a national trade association representing the U.S. wind energy industry – the country’s fastest growing energy sector. Professionals from all over the world, innovators and thought leaders, attend this conference to network, learn, and advance their organizational missions. The Bureau participates in AWEA Offshore Wind Committee meetings and several other AWEA committees focused on health and safety and workforce development.
