<P> Offshore wind power is in the early stages of development in the United States . In 2016, the first offshore wind farm started operation at Block Island Wind Farm off the coast of Rhode Island . Other projects are under development in wind - rich areas of the East Coast, Great Lakes, and Pacific coast . In January 2012, a "Smart for the Start" regulatory approach was introduced, designed to expedite the siting process while incorporating strong environmental protections . Specifically, the Department of Interior approved "wind energy areas" off the coast where projects can move through the regulatory approval process more quickly . The NOAA Coastal Services Center (CSC) has released a cadastre web tool to illustrate suitability of Eastern seaboard areas . In 2017, New York State announced a major RFP process to develop its offshore wind potential . </P> <P> The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is a federal agency responsible for determining offshore areas where wind farms may be built on the Outer Continental Shelf . It sells leases to qualified bidders . </P>

Are there any offshore wind farms in the us