The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management鈥檚 public comment period came to a close Tuesday. The proposal, which has identified more than 200,000 acres off the coast in Southern Oregon for potential floating offshore wind turbines, has settled on two areas that might fit the bill near Coos Bay and Brookings.
Kotek and the state agencies that would regulate the developments submitted comments to the federal bureau that asked for more research on cultural, environmental, and marine and land species impacts. Some comments also requested the federal bureau only build the smallest number of turbines needed to test the project before a full roll out.
The comments also called for a better understanding of where the undersea cables that would carry generated electricity would go, and for more meaningful engagement with local Tribes.
鈥淭hese comments demonstrate the depth and breadth of our state agency expertise in Oregon鈥檚 coastal communities, marine ecosystems, energy needs, and territorial seas,鈥� 鈥淢y administration is committed to continuing to work with BOEM to incorporate the broader feedback and analysis provided during this public comment period, and we look forward to that conversation soon.鈥�
As the push to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy continues, Oregon electric utilities say floating offshore wind turbines is necessary to boost Oregon鈥檚 renewable energy portfolio and help But the federal government鈥檚 draft proposals for two areas in Southern Oregon have gotten pushback from the public, with before the Tuesday deadline.
In June, after hearing concerns from local community members, the draft proposal process to allow for more time for local community and Tribal government input. Kotek said the federal government needed to be transparent with locals and communicate in a way that was easily understood.
The agency extended the public comment period twice, with the latest extension ending on Oct. 31.
Despite that extension, a September meeting between bureau officials and community members devolved into pointed questioning and critiques of the process, .
The project does have supporters. Several public comments filed ahead of Tuesday鈥檚 deadline said there is a need to transition from fossil fuels. Others, like union workers, said the proposal would bring good paying jobs and help boost the local economy.
But other commenters said they still oppose the proposal in its current state.
The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians just days before the end of the public comment period.
According to their resolution, 鈥淏OEM has continually failed to engage in meaningful government to government consultation with the Tribe and has failed to ensure that impacts from offshore wind energy development to Tribal cultural resources, including fisheries and viewsheds, are avoided or mitigated to the satisfaction of the Tribe.鈥�
, Coos and Douglas County commissioners all passed resolutions opposing the proposals.
said the project 鈥渃ould potentially have drastic impacts鈥� on the fishing industry, endangered species and residents of the county.鈥�
If approved, the proposals would lock in geographically where floating offshore wind turbines could be built. The federal bureau would still need to conduct an environmental assessment after Oregon鈥檚 own review, which would ensure Oregon鈥檚 interests are taken into account when the federal government proposes a project.
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