The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced Sept. 27 that it is delaying the auction of its first ever wind leases off the Oregon Coast due to insufficient bidder interest.

An auction had been planned for Oct. 15 for areas in the Pacific Ocean near Coos Bay and Brookings.

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However, that plan likely was complicated by a federal lawsuit from an Oregon tribe filed Sept. 13.

The Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians claim the government didn’t properly analyze the ecological, cultural and other impacts of the potential massive wind farms.

The tribe notified BOEM prior to filing the lawsuit that it would be willing withdraw the court case if the lease sale was delayed and the agency committed to assessing impacts of wind energy development on the coast.

The fishing industry also staunchly opposed the potential developments that would take away fishing grounds and put pressure on other areas.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek also wrote to Elizabeth Klein, BOEM director, the morning of Sept. 27 requesting the agency stop its auction until the state’s Offshore Wind Roadmap is completed and impacts understood.

Little interest

The auction was announced Aug. 29 and five companies qualified to participate in the sale.

According to a news release, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management received bidding interest from only one of those companies.

“In determining a future opportunity for a potential lease sale, BOEM will continue to collaborate with representatives from federal, state and local agencies and Tribal governments, to coordinate on potential leasing and support ongoing stakeholder engagement processes on broader offshore wind considerations, such as the state-led development of a strategic roadmap for offshore wind,” the news release stated.

Kotek letter

Kotek stressed that the accelerated process had divided stakeholder communities and Oregon’s legislative Coastal Caucus was in full opposition to BOEM’s proposed lease.

She added that her office shared concerns about the process with the agency prior to the final sale notice announcement.

“Similarly, coastal and fishing communities and federally recognized Tribal nations have requested that BOEM halt the current leasing schedule until the State completes its ‘Roadmap’ process to fully understand the risks and opportunities inherent in this emerging new renewable energy industry,” Kotek wrote.

“I remain convinced that offshore wind holds exciting promise to be part of our nation’s clean energy future, but in Oregon, actions of significance must be done the Oregon way,” Kotek later added.

Fishing industry responds

Fishing industry groups thanked Kotek and other politicians for their actions in a joint news release.

“This is not only a huge relief to the fishing industry but to all Oregonians who want to understand what the impacts from floating offshore wind energy development could be to the environment, fisheries and coastal communities,” said Heather Mann, Midwater Trawlers Cooperative executive director.

Yelena Nowak, Oregon Trawl Commission director, said she was part of an international trade gathering in Newport on Sept. 26 with a group from the Netherlands.

The Dutch said their country had lost valuable fishing grounds and had to decommission a portion of their fleet due to offshore wind development.

“This is a cautionary tale that offshore wind has many known and unknown risks and unintended consequences,” Nowak added.

Project background

The two areas for lease could generate more than 3.1 gigawatts of peak renewable energy if fully developed. That is enough electricity to power about 1 million homes.

The government has said wind farm plans would be subject to environmental, technical and public reviews prior to authorization.

The area off Coos Bay is 32 miles offshore and consists of 61,203 acres. The section of ocean off Brookings is about 18 miles from land and includes 133,792 acres.

In March 2021, the Biden administration established a policy of producing 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030. The clean energy projects would help the country address climate change.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the nation’s first 10 commercial-scale offshore wind projects with a combined capacity of approximately 15 gigawatts of clean energy — enough to power 5.25 million homes.

The agency also has held five offshore wind lease auctions.