BOEM Releases Environmental Justice Implementation Plan

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is proud to announce our first-ever Environmental Justice Implementation Plan.

Robust, inclusive, and equitable outreach and engagement are vital principles for BOEM as we strive to manage the energy, mineral, and geological resources of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf in an environmentally and economically responsible way. Dedication to these principles includes advancing environmental justice for communities that may be impacted by BOEM-authorized activities.

Executive Order 14096 directs federal agencies to create Environmental Justice Strategic Plans. In response, the Department of the Interior updated its Strategic Plan and directed bureaus and offices to develop implementation plans. BOEM has developed a plan that emphasizes outreach and engagement with potentially affected communities; utilizes the best scientific data and knowledge; and promotes training to deepen understanding and strengthen relationships with communities facing environmental justice challenges.

During a 30-day comment period that concluded on December 9, 2024, BOEM received four distinct comments from 32 organizations interested in environmental justice activities carried out by the bureau. All commenters expressed support for BOEM's efforts to advance environmental justice, encouraged the bureau to continue working with and learning from communities with environmental justice concerns, and to apply that learning to bureau decision-making and staff training. Specific comments and BOEM's responses may be found in Appendix B.

To inform earlier drafts of the implementation plan, BOEM and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement conducted a joint Environmental Justice Strategy Dialogue on March 19, 2024, with participants from environmental justice communities and organizations across U.S. coastal areas. The summary of received input from the Dialogue can be viewed at: https://www.bsee.gov/sites/bsee.gov/files/2024-10/BOEMBSEE_MAR24_EJStrategyDialogueReport.pdf.

BOEM staff will use the implementation plan's goals, priorities, and recommendations to realize the vision of inclusive, meaningful, and equitable opportunities for all communities to participate in the responsible management of our nation's offshore energy, mineral, and geological resources. Through collaboration and innovation, we aim to carry out our mission in a just manner that is inclusive of all people and safeguards our environment.

For more information, please see BOEM's website.

-- BOEM --

The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) manages development of U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) energy, mineral, and geological resources in an environmentally and economically responsible way.