The Environment
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s plans for offshore wind development on the Oregon coast have drawn widespread criticism from fishery stakeholders and public officials, including the state’s Democratic governor and both of its senators. Representatives for the Native American tribes of Oregon’s southern coast have joined the chorus, calling for a pause in the process until there is more certainty that offshore wind development won’t harm the marine ecosystem.
According to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Oregon has substantial opportunities for offshore wind deployment. The draft wind areas announced earlier this month would allow the development of up to 2.6 GW of wind power using floating, bottom-tethered platform systems. The proposed areas cover about 220,000 acres off Brookings and Coos Bay. Read on.
