Members of the fishing industry are planning a protest Tuesday night to voice their concerns over offshore wind development in Oregon, and to ensure they are involved in choosing the location of turbines.
Offshore wind energy production remains fairly untapped throughout the country. No offshore wind farms have been built off the West Coast. That could soon change with President Biden's goal of developing the equivalent of 30 gigawatts of offshore wind turbines by 2030.
Three of those gigawatts could be built off the Oregon coast, enough to power over two million homes. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, or BOEM, is the federal agency that leases ocean waters for oil drilling and renewable energy production.
BOEM recently began calling for commercial wind energy producers to show their interest in developing offshore wind in Oregon. The agency identified over 10,000 square miles of ocean it says are ideal for wind farms.
Those miles are split into two "call areas", one west of Brookings and the other off of Coos Bay.
While these wind farms could help the state meet its green energy goals, commercial fishermen have concerns about the effects these wind farms will have on fish stocks.
We are talking about the ocean frontier, says Mike Graybill, a marine biologist and the former manager of South Slough Reserve in Charleston. And we are talking about, in Oregon, one of the most productive ocean areas on the planet, that already is a source of very, very important economic activity and is also an important source of our global food supply.
Graybill says hes been looking into what effects wind farms may have on the wildlife in the region. He says its important to look at these effects thoroughly because the West Coast is a prime location for fishing.
The West Coast lies in an eastern boundary current, where high winds blowing parallel to the coastline creates an upwelling current, forcing nutrient-dense water up to the surface.
Just five of these eastern boundary currents around the world produce almost a quarter of the worlds marine fish catch. The other four are off the coasts of Chile, Somalia, Northwest and Southern Africa.
Everything from plankton to whales to seabirds to fish is associated with the fact that when wind blows over the oceans, it moves the water, says Graybill.
That means offshore wind farms and fishing will likely clash, as both industries are connected, in some way, to wind.
Were very concerned that its going to lead to environmental and cumulative impacts that arent even being evaluated at this point, says Lori Steele, director of the West Coast Seafood Processors Association. Steele helped to organize Tuesday's rally.
A map of the call areas identified by BOEM off the Oregon Coast for potential wind energy farm development
/
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Steele says the fishing industry isnt opposed to alternative energy. But, she says, the push for offshore wind energy isnt being done responsibly and alternatives, such as onshore wind or solar farms, could be just as effective and cheaper than offshore wind.
While 10,000 square miles of ocean for wind farms seems like a lot, that entire area wont be used for offshore wind. BOEM says the call areas are a broader identification where the agency is interested in leasing out to wind farm developers, and the actual size of the wind farms themselves will be smaller.
That call area will also be whittled down as the agency goes through the public comment period and identifies areas where wind farms may not be feasible, or where they would conflict too much with the fishing industry.
BOEM says coordination with the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Pacific Fishery Management Council and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is already ongoing, and discussion will continue to help further reduce conflicts between wind power and fishermen.
According to Graybill, offshore wind turbines design makes fishing around them difficult and the locations must be picked carefully.
Graybill estimates up to 750 miles of cable could be needed to hold 200 wind turbines in place in deep water. The turbines float in the water and are each anchored by three cables attached to the seafloor.
You wont be able to tow a net that has 700 miles of mooring cables and 350 miles of electrical cables, he says.
In Europe, where offshore wind has been in place since the '90s, fishermen frequently clash with energy companies to share the sea. They argue the exclusion zones around wind farms means more fishermen are competing for less space.
BOEM says itll continue to work with the fishing industry throughout this call process to avoid conflicts.
The agency is accepting public comments through June 28th. Members of the public can also look at interactive maps on BOEMs website showing the specific call areas, and overlays of fish populations, existing underwater infrastructure and more.
Read this article:
Oregon fishermen protest offshore wind farm proposal in Coos Bay - Jefferson Public Radio
- BASF to Buy Stake in German Offshore Wind Farms From Vattenfall -- Update - MarketWatch - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Denmark Launches Massive Offshore Wind Auction | Offshore Wind - Offshore WIND - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- rsted and OEG Renewables Form Offshore Wind Pact in US | Offshore Wind - Offshore WIND - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Vestas and Maersk team up for South Korean offshore wind - Recharge - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Denmark's offshore wind parks currently generate 2.7 gigawatts of electricity - The Mountaineer - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- rsted Buys Sunrise Wind Stake from Eversource - Offshore WIND - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- 'More non-turbine challenges' | GE hits back in New York round 3 offshore wind demise - Recharge - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- 'Heart-breaking': Refugees once detained offshore by Australia warn the UK government not to push through its ... - The Albany Herald - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Hearing scheduled this week on bill to advance offshore wind - delawarebusinessnow.com - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Aker BP begins production from Hanz field offshore Norway - Offshore Technology - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Denmark launches its biggest offshore wind farm tender - The Caledonian-Record - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Vestas and Maersk to Build Offshore Wind Hub in South Korea | Offshore Wind - Offshore WIND - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- U.S. Navy To Convert Oil Rigs Into Offshore Military Bases To Counter China In The Pacific - Marine Insight - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- BASF seals deal to buy into gigascale Vattenfall offshore wind to power chemicals complex - Recharge - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- First Moray West 14.7MW Offshore Wind Turbine Comes Up - Offshore Engineer - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- NYSERDA concludes New York's third offshore wind solicitation without final awards - 4C Offshore - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Galp Energia says Namibia offshore field could contain 10B barrels of oil - Seeking Alpha - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Framework Agreement signed with rsted in the US - 4C Offshore - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- A submerged concern: offshore wind cables - Martha's Vineyard Times - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Possible human smuggling operation thwarted offshore in South Florida - cw34.com - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Maersk sets sights on offshore wind logistics in South Korea - Splash247 - Splash 247 - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Brigantine, Ventnor respond to offshore wind suit dismissal - Press of Atlantic City - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Denmark launches 6GW offshore wind tender with an eye on production of green hydrogen and e-fuels - Hydrogen Insight - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Trump says he hates wind power at fundraiser with oil executives - The Washington Post - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Humboldt County Officials Headed to Massachusetts Next Week to Check Out Vineyard Offshore's Wind Farm - Lost Coast Outpost - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- 3 More Offshore Wind Projects Bite the Dust - Heatmap - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Europe's First Commercial-Scale Floating Offshore Wind Farm Secures All Planning Approvals | Offshore Wind - Offshore WIND - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- OEG Renewables lands US offshore wind contract with rsted - Energy Voice - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Vattenfall and BASF sign purchase agreement for 49 percent of Germany's Nordlicht offshore wind farms - Vattenfall - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- House Republicans ask Gov. Moore to veto offshore wind financing bill - Ocean City Today - April 22nd, 2024 [April 22nd, 2024]
- Enterprise Products Partners Granted MARAD Port License For Biggest Offshore Oil Export Terminal In U.S. - Marine Insight - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- RWE Wants to Expand Supply of Fiber Cables for Floating Offshore Wind - The Maritime Executive - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- US unveils next steps in its 20242029 Gulf of Mexico oil & gas leasing program - Offshore Energy - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Romania adopts offshore wind energy law to get first megawatts by 2032 - Balkan Green Energy News - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Baltic Sea nations turn to Nato and EU to protect offshore infrastructure from Russian threats - Recharge - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Canadian Pension Fund to Consolidate Its Offshore Wind Holdings into UK-Based Reventus Power | Offshore Wind - Offshore WIND - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Australia urged to ensure its gas strategy features LNG opportunities - Offshore Energy - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Taiwan's offshore wind power moves forward. - 4C Offshore - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Siem Offshore lines up multi-year gig for 2016-built oil spill response vessel in Brazilian waters - Offshore Energy - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Poland's Largest Offshore Wind Project Readies for 2025 Auction | Offshore Wind - Offshore WIND - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- New assignment for Wood in Trinidad and Tobago - Offshore Energy - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- SalMar 'won't build offshore farms in Norway without ground rent tax' - FishFarmingExpert - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- SLO County fishermen sue Coastal Commission, offshore wind companies. Weve got rights here - San Luis Obispo Tribune - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- New floating offshore wind partnership committed to Celtic Sea - 4C Offshore - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Norwind Offshore's CSOV to Feature Seaonics Fully-Electric Crane - Offshore WIND - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Eversource's Offshore Wind Lessons Have Created A Buying Opportunity (NYSE:ES) - Seeking Alpha - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- FERC approves collaboration between PJM, New Jersey to boost offshore wind - Daily Energy Insider - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- April 10 Golden Knights vs Oilers NHL Offshore Betting Odds, Preview - The Latest Sports Betting News - OffshoreSportsbooks.com - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Arsenal vs Aston Villa EPL Offshore Odds, Preview, and Prediction - The Latest Sports Betting News - OffshoreSportsbooks.com - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- O&Gs emissions reduction roadmap and the importance of refinery efficiency - Offshore Technology - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- West Ham vs Fulham EPL Offshore Odds, Preview, and Prediction - The Latest Sports Betting News - OffshoreSportsbooks.com - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Liverpool vs Crystal Palace EPL Offshore Odds, Preview, and Prediction - The Latest Sports Betting News - OffshoreSportsbooks.com - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- April 10 Astros vs Royals MLB Offshore Betting Odds, Preview - The Latest Sports Betting News - OffshoreSportsbooks.com - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- RS helps propel offshore wind farm initiative in education sector - The Manufacturer - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Bournemouth vs Man United EPL Offshore Odds, Preview, and Prediction - The Latest Sports Betting News - OffshoreSportsbooks.com - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Grand National Offshore Odds, Preview, and Prediction (2024) - The Latest Sports Betting News - OffshoreSportsbooks.com - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Tyra, a State-of-the-Art Offshore Gas Hub in the North Sea - Total - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- 50Hertz to start onshore works for Windanker offshore wind farm - Power Technology - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Fund manager Pelagic teams up with Borealis Maritime to expand offshore fleet - TradeWinds - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- Another LNG carrier gets Silverstream's air lubrication tech at Seatrium - Offshore Energy - April 10th, 2024 [April 10th, 2024]
- VIDEO: EPS splashes USCG's first Heritage-class offshore patrol cutter - Naval Today - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- N.J.s election focusing on abortion and offshore wind - WHYY - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- Business Network for Offshore Wind changes name to Oceantic ... - WorkBoat - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- Geotechnical Surveys Completed at Scottish 3.6 GW Floating ... - Offshore WIND - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- Fitch downgrades Eversource outlook to 'negative' on uncertainty ... - Utility Dive - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- Kongsberg & Solstad Offshore to Collaborate on Decarbonisation ... - The Maritime Executive - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- Second BOEM in-person hearing on offshore wind generates ... - Ocean City Today - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- NOV Earnings: Offshore Remains Central Performance Driver as ... - Morningstar - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- Murphy eyes first oil in 2026 from offshore project in Southeast Asia - Offshore Energy - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- CorPower Ocean's wave energy device weathers through two major ... - Offshore Energy - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- Somerset offshore wind plant clears major hurdle - CommonWealth magazine - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- In a 'world first,' autonomous giant drones are flying cargo to offshore ... - Electrek - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- Port of VA Receives First Massive Offshore Wind Components - Chesapeake Bay Magazine - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- HBA Future Energy to Build 532 MW Anma Offshore Substation - Offshore WIND - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- PGE, rsted Gather Tier 1 Offshore Contractors for 1.5 GW Baltica 2 - Offshore WIND - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- Philippine police unearth 'torture chamber' in sex den licensed as ... - The Straits Times - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- CIP & Co Release Findings of Taranaki Offshore Wind Capability ... - Offshore WIND - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- UK offshore wind stands up to Storm Ciaran - reNEWS - November 2nd, 2023 [November 2nd, 2023]
- Hatteras Offshore Open kicks off billfish series - The Coastland ... - The Coastland Times - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Anna Paulina Luna to feds: Study dangers of offshore wind turbines - Tampa Bay Times - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]