(2) is decommissioned not more than 5 years 
after the date of commencement of the project, includ-
ing— 
(A) removal of towers, buoys, or other tem-
porary ocean infrastructure from the project site; 
and 
(B) restoration of the project site to ap-
proximately the original condition of the site; 
and 
(3) provides meteorological information obtained 
by the project to the Secretary of the Interior. 
(b) OFFSHORE METEOROLOGICAL PROJECT PERMIT-
TING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior 
shall by regulation require that any applicant seeking 
to conduct an offshore meteorological site testing and 
monitoring project on the outer Continental Shelf (as 
that term is defined in the Outer Continental Shelf 
Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.)) must obtain a 
permit and right of way for the project in accordance 
with this subsection. 
(2) PERMIT AND RIGHT OF WAY TIMELINE AND 
CONDITIONS.— 
(A) DEADLINE FOR APPROVAL.—The Sec-
retary shall decide whether to issue a permit and 
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right of way for an offshore meteorological site 
testing and monitoring project within 30 days 
after receiving an application. 
(B) PUBLIC
COMMENT
AND
CONSULTA-
TION.—During the period referred to in subpara-
graph (A), the Secretary shall— 
(i) provide an opportunity for submis-
sion of comments by the public; and 
(ii) consult with the Secretary of De-
fense, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, 
and the heads of other Federal, State, and 
local agencies that would be affected by 
issuance of the permit and right of way. 
(C) DENIAL OF PERMIT; OPPORTUNITY TO 
REMEDY
DEFICIENCIES.—If the application is 
denied, the Secretary shall provide the appli-
cant— 
(i) in writing, clear and comprehensive 
reasons why the application was not ap-
proved and detailed information concerning 
any deficiencies in the application; and 
(ii) an opportunity to remedy such de-
ficiencies. 
(c) NEPA EXCLUSION.—Section 102(2)(C) of the Na-
tional Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
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4332(2)(C)) shall not apply with respect to an offshore me-
teorological site testing and monitoring project. 
(d) PROTECTION OF INFORMATION.—The information 
provided to the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to sub-
section (a)(3) shall be treated by the Secretary as propri-
etary information and protected against disclosure. 
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Union Calendar No. 168 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 2173 
[Report No. 112–252] 
A BILL 
To facilitate the development of offshore wind 
energy resources. 
OCTOBER 14, 2011 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, 
and ordered to be printed 
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