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BOEM Identifies Draft Wind Energy Areas Off Oregon Shore

20Sep

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BOEM Identifies Draft Wind Energy Areas Off Oregon Shore

In news that could affect commercial fishing in Oregon, the state’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in mid-August identified two draft Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) off the coast of Oregon and opened a 60-day public review and comment period on those WEAs. The areas were identified as part of the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030 and 15 gigawatts of floating offshore wind by 2035. The draft WEAs cover about 219,568 acres offshore southern Oregon with their closest points ranging from about 18 to 32 miles off the coast, according to the ocean energy management bureau. “As BOEM works to identify potential areas for offshore wind development, we continue to prioritize a robust and transparent process, includi...

PFMC: Offshore Wind Energy Development May Not be Compatible With Fisheries

The Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) has brought to Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek concerns about potential adverse impacts to fisheries from offshore wind energy in ocean waters off of the Oregon coast. In an April 6 letter, the PFMC suggested to Kotek that the state rescind the Coos Bay and Brookings call areas, and that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) not proceed with Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) at this time. The council said it’s not opposed to development of offshore wind energy, but seeks a development process that considers multiple ocean uses, and sites OSW energy facilities in way compatible with multiple uses. The council urged the BOEM to restart the process of identifying call areas off Oregon by considering all areas greater than 12 miles offshore, including ...

NOAA, BOEM Develop Joint Strategy for Fisheries Surveys

A Federal Survey Mitigation Strategy developed by NOAA Fisheries and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is the new vehicle for the two agencies to address potential impacts of offshore wind energy development on NOAA Fisheries’ scientific surveys. An announcement from NOAA on Monday, Dec. 5 stated that the new strategy underscores both agencies’ commitment to the Biden-Harris administration’s clean energy goals of responsibly advancing offshore wind energy production while protecting biodiversity and promoting mutual use of the ocean. NOAA Fisheries scientists have been collecting survey data that forms the basis of science-based management of America’s federal fisheries for 150 years. This new strategy is expected to ensure the quality of NOAA’s fisheries surveys and data are maint...