The proposed lease area, about 11 miles south of Long Island, is similar to the New York Wind Energy Area, which Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) identified earlier this year.
A "Proposed Sale Notice (PSN) for Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf Offshore New York" will be published in the Federal Register on 6 June 2016, and will include a 60-day public comment period.
The document will have all the information pertaining to the area available for leasing, proposed provisions under the lease, conditions, auction details and lease execution.
The Interior department said that only those companies are qualified for the lease which have been notified by BOEM that they are legally, technically and financially qualified by the time the final sale notice is published.
Apart from the PSN, BOEM will also publish an Environmental Assessment on the same day to receive comments from public for 30 days.
BOEM will also conduct four public meetings in June to provide an overview of EA findings and provide additional opportunities for public comments.
BOEM Director Abigail Ross Hopper said: "The proposed lease area could make substantial contributions to the region’s energy supply and assist local and state governments – including New York City – in achieving their renewable energy goals.
"In the meantime, we will continue to work with New York Renewable Energy Task Force, local communities and key stakeholders to reduce conflicts and bring clarity to potential wind energy developers."
US DOI Secretary Sally Jewell said: "Offshore wind power marks a new frontier in renewable energy development, creating the path for sustainable electricity generation; job creation, and strengthening our nation’s economic competitiveness."
