The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced the two final Wind Energy Area (WEA) designations off the shores of Oregon, with the decisions based on reducing potential ocean use conflicts.
The WEAs total approximately 195,012 acres, and the bureau says they avoid 98% of the areas recommended for exclusion due to their importance as commercial fishing grounds. The Coos Bay WEA is 61,204 acres and is located 32 miles from shore. The Brookings WEA is 133,808 acres and is about 18 miles from shore.
“BOEM values its close coordination with the state of Oregon as we continue to work together to maintain a robust and transparent offshore wind planning process,” says BOEM’s director, Elizabeth Klein. “We will continue to work closely with Tribal governments, federal and state government agencies, ocean users, coastal communities and all interested stakeholders as we move forward with our environmental review.”
Tomorrow, BOEM will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing its intent to prepare an environmental assessment of potential impacts from offshore wind leasing in the WEAs, initiating a 30-day public comment period. Another public comment period would occur if BOEM decides to move forward with a lease sale in either of the WEAs.
