[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 53 (Monday, March 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 16662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05639]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Docket No. BOEM-2023-0016]


Notice of Determination of No Competitive Interest (DNCI) in a 
Proposed Research Lease Area on the Gulf of Maine Outer Continental 
Shelf (OCS)

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of no competitive interest determination.

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SUMMARY: BOEM provides notice of its determination that competitive 
interest does not exist in the area identified in ``Research Lease on 
the [OCS] in the Gulf of Maine, Request for Competitive Interest 
(RFCI)'' published in the Federal Register on August 19, 2022. BOEM 
published that RFCI after receiving an OCS renewable energy research 
lease application from the State of Maine Governor's office in October 
2021. BOEM received complete submissions in response to the RFCI from 
two qualified entities. Upon review of the whole record, including the 
two responses, BOEM determined that any interest in the lease area is 
not competitive.

DATES: Effective March 20, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Luke Feinberg, Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road 
(VAM-OREP), Sterling, Virginia 20166, [email protected] or (571) 
474-7616.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority

    This DNCI is made pursuant to subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS Lands 
Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3)) and its implementing regulations at 30 CFR 
585.239. Subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS Lands Act requires that an OCS 
renewable energy lease, easement, or right-of-way (ROW) be issued ``on 
a competitive basis unless the Secretary [of the Interior] determines 
after public notice of a proposed lease, easement, or [ROW] that there 
is no competitive interest.'' The Secretary delegated the authority to 
make such determinations to BOEM.

Determination and Next Steps

    This DNCI provides public notice that BOEM determined competitive 
interest does not exist in the proposed research lease area. This 
determination does not guarantee that the State of Maine will receive a 
research lease. After publication of this notice, BOEM may proceed with 
the research leasing process using the procedures described in 30 CFR 
585.239. The next steps in that process include initiating an 
environmental review of potential impacts from leasing activities 
associated with the proposed research lease, siting the lease within 
the area identified in the RFCI, and negotiating lease terms.

Map of the Area

    A map of Maine's proposed research lease area can be found at: 
https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/maine/state-activities/gulf-maine/state-maine-research-lease-application.

Elizabeth Klein,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2023-05639 Filed 3-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340-98-P