Commercial Lease for the Cape Wind Energy Project

Pursuant to its authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ("OCSLA"), 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq., as amended; and the Renewable Energy and Alternate Uses of Existing Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf Rules, 30 CFR part 285 ("Rule"), BOEMRE has issued a Commercial Lease ("Lease") for an area of approximately 46 square miles on the OCS in Nantucket Sound off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. This NOA is being published to announce the availability of the Lease in accordance with the requirements of 30 CFR 285.231. The Lease is for the Cape Wind Energy Project ("Project") which grants Cape Wind Associates, LLC, ("CWA") the exclusive right to conduct certain activities within the leased area, subject to the terms and conditions of the Lease, and applicable laws and regulations. The Lease requires CWA to pay $88,278 in annual rent prior to production, and a two to seven percent operating fee rate following the start of production during the 33-year lease (a 5-year site assessment term and a 28-year commercial operations term). The rent and operating fee are based on the requirements set forth in 30 CFR part 285, subpart E. The Project plan calls for 130 wind turbines capable of generating a maximum electric output of 468 megawatts with an anticipated average output of 183 megawatts. Construction and operation of the Project cannot begin until BOEMRE reviews and approves plans submitted by CWA that detail construction and operation of the Project in accordance with the Rule.