The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that manages offshore energy and mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). BOEM was established in 2010 by Secretarial Order 3345, which consolidated the oil, gas, and renewable energy related management functions formerly under the purview of the Minerals Management Service (MMS).
BOEM’s mission is to “ensure that the Nation’s offshore energy and mineral resources are developed in a safe, environmentally responsible, and sustainable manner.” BOEM accomplishes this mission by:
- Conducting resource evaluations to assess the potential for oil, gas, and renewable energy development on the OCS
- Planning for offshore energy development in a way that minimizes environmental impacts
- Leasing OCS acreage for oil, gas, and renewable energy development
- Monitoring and regulating offshore energy operations to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations
BOEM is also a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a global organization that works to conserve nature and promote sustainable development. BOEM’s membership in IUCN allows the agency to share information and best practices with other countries on the responsible management of offshore energy resources.
BOEM is committed to protecting the environment and ensuring that offshore energy development is conducted in a safe and sustainable manner. The agency’s work is essential to meeting the Nation’s energy needs while protecting the environment for future generations.
Here are some additional details about BOEM’s membership with IUCN:
- BOEM joined IUCN in 2011.
- BOEM is a member of IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and the Commission on Environmental Law (CEL).
- BOEM participates in IUCN’s work on a variety of issues related to offshore energy, including:
- Marine spatial planning
- Environmental impact assessment
- Social and economic impacts of offshore energy development
- Oil spill prevention and response
- BOEM’s membership in IUCN helps the agency to share information and best practices with other countries on the responsible management of offshore energy resources.
