Developing Environmental Protocols and Monitoring to Support Ocean Renewable Energy and Stewardship

Lead PI: Dr. Jennifer McCann, University of Rhode Island
Start Year: 2010 | Duration: 2 years
Partners: Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, Applied Science Associates Inc., Nature Serve, Cranfield University, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National Environmental Research Institute, Deepwater Wind, Inc., NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, & Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture

This project will develop and test standardized protocols for baseline studies and monitoring for the collection and comparison of
scientifically valid and comparable data for specific offshore renewable energy issues that are developed in coordination with, and ultimately supported by, scientists, regulators, and industry; in addition the project will develop a conceptual framework and approach for cumulative environmental impact evaluation of offshore renewable energy development, as part of a larger framework for a site evaluation tool for decision makers. By deliberatively developing these tools as a cohesive suite of products, the team will provide agencies with a comprehensive, yet flexible and tested means of making efficient and balanced assessments regarding the impacts of a broad range of offshore renewable energy resources projects on marine and human ecosystems.

Annual PI Reports:
FY 2012 PI Report