BOEM discusses offshore research plans

Leaders of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, or BOEM, have held three days of discussions with the Outer Continental Shelf Scientific Committee on research plans for fiscal years 2013 and 2014. BOEM says that the committee’s role is to advise the agency and the Secretary of the Interior on the feasibility, appropriateness and scientific value of BOEM’s OCS Environmental Studies Program.

During the discussion meeting, held May 22-24, BOEM leaders presented overviews of scientific studies within their programs, while BOEM scientists led breakout sessions on various discipline areas, including biology and ecology; physical sciences; and social sciences.

“BOEM’s environmental studies program is focused on advancing applied research to ensure that our programmatic decisions regarding energy and mineral development on the OCS are informed by the best scientific information available. The OCS Scientific Committee plays a critical role in helping us meet that objective,” said BOEM Chief Environmental Officer Alan Thornhill after the meeting. “The 15 non-federal experts who comprise the committee have rigorously reviewed our study proposals over the course of this week’s discussions, and their feedback will help ensure that future energy decisions are guided by the best and most relevant scientific information available.”

—Alan Bailey