The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the establishment of the Partnership for an Offshore Wind Energy Regional Observation Network (POWERON), an innovative public-private partnership between BOEM and offshore wind lessees designed to maximize the quality and consistency of scientific data collected in lease areas while conserving and optimizing resources. BOEM requires offshore wind lessees to conduct long-term passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) on their lease areas to measure sound levels and monitor for the presence of vocalizing marine species like whales and dolphins. With this new program, lessees can make annual contributions to POWERON to have their long-term PAM requirements fulfilled by an approved third party. More information is available here.
