Incidental Take Authorizations for Renewable Energy Activities
This page lists Incidental Take Authorizations for renewable energy activities. Applications are typically posted once public review is initiated.
An Interactive Map can be viewed that shows recent and in process authorizations. *Please note that to use the Interactive Map, you will be required to log in.
Authorizations In Process
The following Authorizations are in process:
Vineyard Northeast, LLC's Construction of the Vineyard Northeast Offshore Wind Project
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| In Process | Closed | -- | -- |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has received a request from Vineyard Northeast, LLC. for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to the development of the Vineyard Northeast Offshore Wind Project in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease on the Outer Continental Shelf OCS-A 0522 off of Massachusetts over the course of 5 years beginning on January 1, 2028. NOAA Fisheries is announcing receipt of Vineyard Northeast's request for regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals.
Proposed Modification to Bay State Wind, LLC Marine Site Characterization Surveys off Rhode Island and Massachusetts
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| In Process | Closed | -- | -- |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries is proposing to modify an existing incidental harassment authorization issued to Bay State Wind, LLC on October 3, 2024, authorizing take of marine mammals incidental to marine site characterization surveys conducted off the coasts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Area OCS-A 0500 and the associated export cable route area. While conducting said marine site characterization surveys, Bay State Wind has encountered common dolphins at a rate greater than anticipated under the analysis for that IHA and, therefore, requests that NOAA Fisheries modify the IHA to increase the number of authorized take by Level B harassment for that species only. No other changes to the IHA were requested or are proposed herein, and the expiration date remains unchanged.
SouthCoast Wind, LLC's Construction of the SouthCoast Wind Offshore Wind Project
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| In Process | Closed | -- | -- |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries received a request from SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC (formerly Mayflower Wind Energy LLC)*, for Incidental Take Regulations and an associated Letter of Authorization. The requested regulations would govern the authorization of take, by Level A harassment and Level B harassment, of small numbers of marine mammals over the course of five years (2027-2032) incidental to construction of the SouthCoast Wind Project offshore of Massachusetts within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Area OCS–A 0521 and associated Export Cable Corridors. Specified activities expected to result in incidental take are pile driving (impact and vibratory), unexploded ordnance or munitions and explosives of concern detonation, and site assessment surveys using high-resolution geophysical equipment. The regulations, if promulgated, would be effective April 1, 2027 through March 31, 2032.
*Since publication of the Notice of Receipt of Application, Mayflower Wind, LLC has changed its name to SouthCoast Wind, LLC.
Active Authorizations
The following Authorizations are active:
Reissuance of Rio Grande LNG, LLC (Rio Grande) LNG Terminal Construction in the Brownsville Ship Channel in Cameron County, Texas
| Status | Public Comment | Date Issued | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 8/20/2024 | 1/15/2025 - 1/14/2026 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has received a request from Rio Grande LNG, LLC, for the reissuance of a previously issued incidental harassment authorization with the only change being effective dates. The initial IHA authorized take of three species of marine mammals incidental to activities associated with the construction of a Liquefied Natural Gas terminal in the Brownsville Ship Channel, Cameron County, Texas. The project has been delayed and none of the work covered in the initial IHA has been conducted. The initial IHA was effective from July 1, 2020, through June 31, 2021. Rio Grande has requested reissuance with new effective dates of January 15, 2025, through January 14, 2026. The scope of the activities and anticipated effects remain the same, authorized take numbers are not changed, and the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting remains the same as included in the initial IHA. NOAA Fisheries is, therefore, issuing an identical IHA to cover the incidental take analyzed and authorized in the initial IHA.
Renewal of SouthCoast Wind Energy, LLC's Marine Site Characterization Surveys off Massachusetts and Rhode Island
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 10/21/2024 | 10/21/2024 - 05/11/2025 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued a renewal incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to SouthCoast Wind Energy, LLC to incidentally harass marine mammals incidental to activities associated with marine site characterization surveys off of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, specifically within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Area OCS-A 0521 and associated export cable route.
US Wind, Inc.'s Construction and Operation of the Maryland Offshore Wind Project off of Maryland
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 10/23/2024 | 1/1/2025- 12/31/2029 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has promulgated regulations to govern the incidental taking of marine mammals incidental to US Wind, Inc. (US Wind) during the construction of an offshore wind energy project in Federal and State waters off of Maryland, specifically within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Area (OCS-A-0490) and along associated export cable routes to sea-to-shore transition points, over the course of 5 years. These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals during specific construction related activities within the project area during the effective dates of the regulations, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
Renewal of Community Offshore Wind, LLC Marine Site Characterization Surveys off New Jersey and New York
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 10/9/2024 | 10/9/2024 - 10/8/2025 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued a renewal incidental harassment authorization to Community Offshore Wind, LLC to incidentally harass marine mammals incidental to marine site characterization surveys offshore from New Jersey and New York in the New York Bight, specifically within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Area OCS-A 0539 and associated Export Cable Route survey area. There are no changes from the proposed authorization to this final authorization.
Bay State Wind, LLC Marine Site Characterization Surveys off Rhode Island and Massachusetts
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 10/3/2024 | 10/3/2024 - 10/2/2025 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization to Bay State Wind, LLC, to incidentally harass marine mammals during marine site characterization surveys off the coast of Rhode Island and Massachusetts in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Area OCS-A 0500 and the associated export cable route area.
Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1, LLC's Construction of the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Energy Projects
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 9/24/2024 | 1/1/2025 - 12/31/2029 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries promulgates regulations to govern the incidental taking of marine mammals by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1, LLC, the project company of the original applicant, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC, a joint venture between EDF-RE Offshore Development LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of EDF Renewables, Inc.) and Shell New Energies US LLC, during the construction of the Atlantic Shores South Project, an offshore wind energy project located in Federal and State waters offshore of New Jersey, specifically within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Areas OCS-A-0499 and OCS-A-0570 and along export cable routes to sea-to-shore transition points. The Project will be divided into 2 projects in 2 areas: Project 1 and Project 2, over the course of 5 years (January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2029). Of note, the proposed rule for this action named only OCS-A-0499 and the parent company, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind LLC, with 2 subsidiaries who control each component of the Project (i.e., Project 1 is controlled by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1, LLC, and Project 2 is controlled by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 2, LLC). However, after publication of the proposed rule, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind LLC notified NOAA Fisheries that this rulemaking should be issued for Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1, LLC. Furthermore, Project Company 1 now maintains ownership of both Project 1 and Project 2, rather than 2 separate subsidiaries for each of Project 1 and Project 2. As a result of this, the applicant requested that the Letter of Authorization, if issued, be issued to Project Company 1, which would oversee the construction of both Project 1 and Project 2 (where the latter Project would be operated by “Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 2, LLC”). These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a LOA for the incidental take of marine mammals during construction-related activities within the Project Area during the effective dates of the regulations, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
*Since publication of the Notice of Receipt of Application and proposed rulemaking, upon request from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC (a joint venture between EDF-RE Offshore Development LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of EDF Renewables, Inc.) and Shell New Energies US LLC), BOEM completed a lease segregation of Lease Area OCS-A-0499 resulting into two separate Lease Areas, OCS-A-0499 and OCS-A-0570. Additionally, Atlantic Shores changed ownership of the project to two subsidiaries. Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1, LLC retains OCS-A-0499 (Project 1) and a new subsidiary of Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC, named Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 2, LLC, has acquired OCS-A-0570 (Project 2). Under the Lease segregation and name changes, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1, LLC also maintains ownership of both Project 1 and Project 2.
Vineyard Wind 1 LLC's Construction of the Vineyard Wind Offshore Wind Project off of Massachusetts (Phase 2)
| Status | Public Comment | Date Issued | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 9/6/2024 | 10/01/2024 - 9/30/2025 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization to Vineyard Wind 1 LLC to incidentally harass marine mammals during the completion of construction activities associated with the Vineyard Wind 1 Offshore Wind Project in the northern portion of Lease Area OCS-A 0501 offshore of Massachusetts.
Renewal of Invenergy Wind Offshore, LLC's Marine Site Characterization Surveys in the New York Bight
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 8/22/2024 | 8/21/2024 - 7/30/2025 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization to Invenergy Wind Offshore, LLC for the renewal of their 2023 IHA to take marine mammals incidental to marine site characterization surveys in waters off of New Jersey and New York in the New York Bight.
Orsted Wind Power North America, LLC's Site Characterization Surveys off Delaware
| Status | Public Comment | Date Issued | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 7/25/2024 | 8/1/2024 - 7/31/2025 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization to Orsted Wind Power North America, LLC to incidentally harass marine mammals during marine site characterization surveys conducted off the coast of Delaware in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Areas OCS–A 0482 and 0519, and the associated export cable route area.
Renewal of Vineyard Northeast, LLC's Marine Site Characterization Survey from Massachusetts to New Jersey
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 7/24/2024 | 7/27/2024 - 7/26/2025 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued a renewal incidental harassment authorization to Vineyard Northeast, LLC to incidentally harass marine mammals incidental to marine site characterization surveys offshore from Massachusetts to New Jersey in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Areas OCS-A 0522 and OCS-A 0544 and associated offshore export cable corridor routes.
Avangrid Renewables, LLC's Construction of the New England Wind Offshore Wind Farm Project off of Massachusetts
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 6/20/2024 | 3/27/2025 - 3/26/2030 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries hereby promulgates regulations to govern the incidental taking of marine mammals by Avangrid Renewables, LLC, the parent company of the original applicant, Park City Wind, LLC*, during the construction of the New England Wind Project, an offshore wind energy project, developed in two phases, known as Park City Wind and Commonwealth Wind, in Federal and State waters off of Massachusetts, specifically within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Areas and the southwest portion of Lease Area OCS-A 0501 (collectively referred to as the Lease Area), and along an export cable routes to sea-to-shore transition points, over the course of 5 years (March 27, 2025, through March 26, 2030).The proposed rule for this action concerned only Lease Areas OCS-A 0534 and the SW portion of Lease Area OCS-A 0501. However, after publication of the proposed rule, Lease Area OCS-A 0534 was segregated into two portions: OCS-A 0534 and OCS-A 0561. Phase 1 remained with Park City Wind (OCS-A 0534) while phase 2 (OCS-A 0561) was assigned to a sister company named Commonwealth Wind, LLC (subsidiary of Avangrid). As a result of this, Park City Wind requested that the LOA, if issued, be issued to Avangrid, who would oversee the construction of the both phases of the Project by its two subsidiaries. These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals during construction-related activities within the Project Area during the effective dates of the regulations, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
*Since publication of the Notice of Receipt of Application and Proposed Rulemaking, upon request from Park City Wind, LLC (a subsidiary of Avangrid Renewables, LLC), BOEM completed a lease segregation of Lease Area OCS-A-0534 resulting into two separate Lease Areas, OCS-A-0534 and OCS-A-0561. Park City Wind, LLC retains ownership of OCS-A-0534 and a new subsidiary of Avangrid Renewables, LLC, named CommonWealth Wind, LLC, has acquired OCS-A-0561.
Sunrise Wind, LLC's Construction and Operation of the Sunrise Wind Offshore Wind Farm off of New York
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 5/2/2024 | 6/21/2024 - 6/20/2029 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries hereby promulgates regulations to govern the incidental taking of marine mammals incidental to Sunrise Wind, LLC, a 50/50 joint venture between Ørsted North America, Inc. and Eversource Investment, LLC, construction of the Sunrise Wind Offshore Wind Farm Project in Federal and State waters offshore New York, specifically within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Area OCS-A-0487 and along one export cable route to sea-to-shore transition points in Shirley, New York, over the course of 5 years (June 21, 2024 - June 20, 2029). These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals during construction-related activities within the Project Area during the effective dates of the regulations, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
Revolution Wind, LLC Construction of the Revolution Wind Energy Facility off of Rhode Island
| Status | Public Comment | Date Issued | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 9/29/2023 | 11/20/2023 - 11/19/2028 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries promulgates regulations to govern the incidental taking of marine mammals incidental to Revolution Wind, LLC’s, a subsidiary wholly owned by Orsted Wind Power North America, LLC, construction of the Revolution Wind Offshore Wind Energy Project in Federal and State waters offshore Rhode Island, specifically within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Area OCS-A-0486 and along two export cable routes to sea-to-shore transition points, over the course of 5 years (November 20, 2023 through November 19, 2028). These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals during construction-related activities within the Project Area during the effective dates of the regulations, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
Empire Offshore Wind, LLC Construction of the Empire Wind Project (EW1 and EW2) off of New York
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 1/18/2024 | 2/22/2024 - 2/21/2029 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries promulgates regulations to govern the incidental taking of marine mammals incidental to Empire Offshore Wind, LLC, a 50-50 partnership between Equinor, ASA and BP p.l.c., during the construction of an offshore wind energy project in Federal and State waters off of New York, specifically within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Area (OCS-A-512) and along two export cable routes to sea-to-shore transition points (collectively, the Project Area), over the course of 5 years (February 22, 2024, through February 21, 2029). These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals during specific construction related activities within the Project Area during the effective dates of the regulations, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking. Upon publication of this final rule and within 30 days, NOAA Fisheries will issue a LOA to Empire Wind for the effective period of the final rule.
Dominion Energy Virginia Construction of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial Project off of Virginia
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 1/4/2024 | 2/5/2024 - 2/4/2029 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries hereby promulgates regulations to govern the incidental taking of marine mammals incidental to the Virginia Electric and Power Company, doing business as Dominion Energy Virginia, construction of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial Project (hereafter, the CVOW-C Project or the Project) in Federal and State waters offshore of Virginia, specifically within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Area OCS-A 0483 and along export cable routes to sea-to-shore transition points, over the course of 5 years (February 5, 2024 through February 4, 2029). These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals during construction-related activities within the Project Area during the effective dates of the regulations, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
Ocean Wind, LLC Construction of the Ocean Wind 1 Wind Energy Facility off of New Jersey
| Status | Public Comment | Date Issued | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 9/13/2023 | 10/13/2023 - 10/12/2028 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries promulgates regulations to govern the incidental taking of marine mammals incidental to Ocean Wind, LLC, a subsidiary wholly owned by Orsted Wind Power North America, LLC, construction of the Ocean Wind 1 Offshore Wind Energy Project in Federal and State waters off of New Jersey, specifically within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Area OCS-A 0498 and along two export cable routes to sea-to-shore transition points, over the course of 5 years (October 13, 2023 through October 12, 2028). These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals during construction-related activities within the Project Area during the effective dates of the regulations, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
Withdrawn and Inactive
For documents related to withdrawn applications for Authorization and inactive Authorizations, please contact us.
| Applicant | Activity | Authorization Type | Effective Dates |
| TerraSond Limited | Marine Site Characterization Surveys in the Carolina Long Bay Call Area | IHA | -- |
Expired Authorizations
For information and documents related to expired Authorizations, please contact us.
More Information
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