The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will chair a renewable energy task force meeting on 9 September 2015 at which the next step in the long-running process to bring offshore wind leasing to the outer continental shelf off South Carolina will be outlined.
A draft Federal Register notice presented at the meeting will detail an upcoming call for information and nominations.
“BOEM intends to gather information from the task force to inform future decisions in delineating lease areas for wind energy development offshore South Carolina,” said the agency.
“Agencies will discuss the renewable energy planning process and present survey information collected,” it added. The call will then be published for public comment.
Maps show the wind in this area is tepid onshore, but much stronger off the coast of Myrtle Beach, meaning that some windmills could be within the sight of visitors to the popular beach. However, at ten miles off the coast, they are not expected to impact the number of tourists who visit the area.
Speaking to the Greenville News in 2014, Marc Johnson, president and CEO of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, said, "You might be able to figure out on a clear day that it's out there," Johnson said, "but it's not the kind of thing that you're going to open your window up and say 'Gosh, it's right there.'"
The meeting on 9 September 2015 will include a public question and answer session at 4.30pm. It will be held at:
For more information, click here.
