Current:Home > reviewsFederal government postpones sale of floating offshore wind leases along Oregon coast -×
Federal government postpones sale of floating offshore wind leases along Oregon coast
View
Date:2025-04-26 07:56:10
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The federal government postponed an auction of floating offshore wind leases off the Oregon coast on Friday after developers said they wouldn’t bid and the state’s governor asked that all leasing activities stop.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management did not set a new date for the sale. It said the decision to postpone the sale scheduled for Oct. 15 was based on “insufficient bidder interest at this time.”
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek wrote to the agency shortly before the announcement, asking it to terminate the current auction, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. Kotek cited growing concerns from coastal and fishing communities, tribes and others.
Some are concerned that the construction will harm sea life, marine habitat, culturally important areas and views of the ocean. The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians — whose culture is tied to the ocean — sued the federal government.
In light of the mounting opposition, the number of companies planning to bid on the leases dwindled.
Five companies were qualified to bid. Mainstream Renewable Power Inc., one of the five, told Oregon Public Broadcasting this week that it will not longer participate. Two others told the Oregonian/OregonLive that they, too, are backing out.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said Friday that it will continue working with government agencies and tribal governments, as well as support ongoing processes to engage with stakeholders, in order to figure out a future opportunity for a potential lease sale.
There are only a handful of floating offshore arrays across the globe. California awarded the first-ever leases in the U.S. to develop commercial-scale floating wind farms in 2022. The federal government issued the nation’s first floating offshore wind research lease to the state of Maine in August.
In Oregon, the plans for floating wind involve two areas covering 305 square miles (790 square kilometers) off the state’s southern coast. The two areas are 32 miles (52 kilometers) off the coast of Coos Bay and 18 miles (29 kilometers) from the small city of Brookings, near the California state line.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- Sam Taylor
- Kylie Jenner reveals who impacted her style shift: 'The trends have changed'
- A West Virginia bill to remove marital exemption for sexual abuse wins final passage
- With DeSantis back from Iowa, Florida passes $117B budget on final day of 2024 session
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Save up to 71% off the BaubleBar x Disney Collection, Plus 25% off the Entire Site
- The US is springing forward to daylight saving. For Navajo and Hopi tribes, it’s a time of confusion
- Virginia Beach yacht, 75-foot, catches fire, 3 people on board rescued in dramatic fashion
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Senate to vote on first government funding package to avoid shutdown
Ranking
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- With DeSantis back from Iowa, Florida passes $117B budget on final day of 2024 session
- Black applications soar at Colorado. Coach Prime Effect?
- The Excerpt podcast: Biden calls on Americans to move into the future in State of the Union
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied divorce after 11 years of marriage
- Lake Mead's water levels rose again in February, highest in 3 years. Will it last?
- Russell Wilson visits with Steelers, meets with Giants ahead of NFL free agency, per reports
Recommendation
The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
Summer House Star Paige DeSorbo Influenced Me To Buy These 52 Products
Wisconsin family rescues 'lonely' runaway pig named Kevin Bacon, lures him home with Oreos
Weather beatdown leaves towering Maine landmark surrounded by crime scene tape
'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
Wolfgang Van Halen slams ex-bandmate David Lee Roth's nepotism comments
Lilly Pulitzer 60% Off Deals: Your Guide To the Hidden $23 Finds No One Knows About
'Queer Eye' star Tan France says he didn't get Bobby Berk 'fired' amid alleged show drama