<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=45OfWU_0vmEbCEJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=45OfWU_0vmEbCEJ00" width="1500" height="844" >COOS COUNTY, Ore. — Gov. Tina Kotek has asked the Bureau of Ocean Energy managment to halt its efforts to lease property off the coast of Oregon, and endorsed the withdrawal of the state from an intergovernmental energy task force.This comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed by the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians which alleges BOEM conducted insufficient analysis of offshore wind energy impacts.The request was met with a strong response by other state leaders, including Senator Wyden, “I don’t back down when it comes to deploying renewable energy projects, but even the pursuit of clean energy doesn’t mean running over the public process,” Wyden said. “I’m glad federal regulators hit the pause button on proceeding with this hasty auction process. I’ve been pressing for this to slow down because Oregonians on the coast deserve every opportunity to have an actual say in this issue affecting their lives and livelihoods.”The 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, according to the governor's office.It says it has also been engaging with the Department of Energy and states of California and Washington to collaborate on other offshore wind supply chain opportunities.Gov. Kotek calls on federal government to cancel offshore wind auction in Southern OregonClick here to view the PDF file.This strategic planning and supply chain analysis will be key to unlocking the potential of offshore wind in the Pacific Northwest, and that tribal nations must be partners in this work, according to the release.“I am disappointed that BOEM’s accelerated process over the last year has further divided stakeholder communities, and put the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians in the position of challenging BOEM in federal district court,” Gov. Kotek said.Oregon’s legislative Coastal Caucus is likewise now in full opposition to BOEM’s proposed lease, according to the release.Gov. Kotek said concerns were brought to her office this month from renewable energy, labor, fishing, and conservation communities regarding the risks a failed competitive lease process would pose to Oregon’s developing supply chain industry and to its environmentally sensitive offshore habitats.“I believe that Oregon has no choice but to withdraw from the BOEM Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force in order to ensure that Oregon’s interests are fully protected, and that we have adequate time to complete our state roadmap with engagement and participation of key constituencies and the public, " the governor said. "Given this, I request that BOEM halt all current leasing activities off the coast of Oregon and terminate the current auction. My administration must have full confidence that our state’s roadmap will be complete and all associated enforceable policies in place before BOEM proceeds with additional lease-related activities in future years.”Kotek concluded by saying she is "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."Executive director of the Midwaters Trawlers Cooperative and the coordinator for the Project US Fisherman Coalition Heather Mann, spoke for Oregon’s recreational and commercial fishing communities and said that the statement from Gov. Kotek is “a welcome relief for us.”“We are celebrating this decision, also celebrating her leadership and bravery and stepping up by saying we need to do this the Oregon way, not the rushed way that its been happening,”Mann said that there was only one bidder that showed interest and she said that the bidder lacked offshore wind energy development history.She continued with “It shows that we’re just not ready in Oregon,” and that the reason why there wasn't as many bidders was because “they saw that there was litigation and that there were so many complaints, and they didn’t put in for the auction,”Man believes that the voices of the communities along with tribes influenced the decision to slow the project down.“We are making a difference with our voices whether its fishing community economies or just individuals who have been saying we’re not ready for this.” She said, “We need to understand the impacts before leases are issued and that that message is getting out there.”Coinciedentally on Friday, The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced in a press release that it is delaying the offshore wind energy auction planned for potential lease areas offshore Oregon due to insufficient bidder interest at this time.</div></body>

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Gov. Kotek calls on federal government to cancel offshore wind auction in Southern Oregon

COOS COUNTY, Ore. — Gov. Tina Kotek has asked the Bureau of Ocean Energy managment to halt its efforts to lease property off the coast of Oregon, and endorsed the withdrawal of the state from an intergovernmental energy task force. This comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed...