Parent Layer: Tentative Permits to Conduct a Two-Phased Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Research Study

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Description: In June and July 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invited public comment on its tentative determination to issue two research permits pursuant to the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). <br/> <br/> These research permits would authorize the transportation and disposition of an alkaline solution into ocean waters during a two-phased research study offshore of Massachusetts as part of WHOI’s LOC-NESS Project. The proposed research is designed to study a potential climate change mitigation technique referred to as ocean alkalinity enhancement. This technique is intended to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it for long periods of time in the ocean. More information about ocean alkalinity enhancement and other proposed marine carbon dioxide removal techniques can be found on the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/marine-carbon-dioxide-removal-and-solar-radiation-management-permitting" target="_blank">EPA’s Marine Carbon Dioxide Permitting website</a>. <br/> <br/> WHOI has proposed a two-phased study. Phase 1 would be conducted south of Martha’s Vineyard (approximately 9.5 miles south of the nearest shoreline in Nomans Land Island, Massachusetts). Phase 2 would be conducted within the Wilkinson Basin (approximately 38 miles northeast from the nearest shoreline in Cape Cod, Massachusetts). <br/> <br/> In August 2024, the WHOI research team announced that Phase 1 would be shifted from fall 2024 to the summer of 2025 because the fully-equipped research vessel WHOI planned to use was no longer available. More detailed information about this decision can be found on the <a href="https://www.whoi.edu/press-room/news-release/woods-hole-oceanographic-institution-announces-shift-of-ocean-alkalinity-enhancement-field-trials-to-summer-2025/" target="_blank">WHOI website</a>. <br/> <br/> The EPA is currently reviewing the LOC-NESS project’s permit for this phase of research and the subsequent phase and WHOI continues to work closely with the Agency as part of that process. To access additional information about either of the proposed activities, visit the Federal Rulemaking Portal and search for Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0591 (Phase 1) and Docket No. EPA-HQ-OW-2024-0189 (Phase 2). The public comment deadline was July 11, 2024. View the Portal's <a href="https://www.northeastoceandata.org/mcdr-research-permits/" target="_blank">mCDR Research Permits page</a> for more information.

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