In June of 2021, The U.S. Department of the Interior announced that it was considering two areas off the Oregon Coast for offshore wind energy production, and as part of the Biden-Harris administration’s goal to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced on April 27th, the intent to Call for Information and Nominations.
The public is requested to make formal comments directly to representatives from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), who will be in Gold Beach, at the Curry County Fairgrounds, between 8:00am and 12:00pm, on Friday, June 17th, seeking formal public comments regarding the over 1.15 million acres designated for potential wind energy leasing activities off the coast of Gold Beach, and Brookings, Oregon.
The Call Areas are located offshore the State of Oregon and comprises areas identified as Coos Bay and Brookings. These two areas total about 1,159,298 acres (1,811 square miles) and are located offshore south-central and southern Oregon, respectively, and are projected to host hundreds of off-shore wind turbines.
The boundary of the Brookings Call area begins 13.8 miles offshore Gold Beach and Brookings, Oregon, and extends to about 46 miles offshore. The eastern boundary water depth ranges from about 410 to 1,115 feet (125 to 340 meters). The area is about 46 miles in length from north to south and about 22 miles in width from east to west. The entire area is approximately 286,444 acres (448 square miles).
The boundary of the Coos Bay Call Area begins 13.8 miles offshore Charleston, Oregon, and extends to about 65 miles offshore. The eastern boundary water depth ranges from about 394 to 722 feet (120 to 220 meters). The area is about 67 miles in length from north to south and about 41 miles in width from east to west. The entire area is approximately 872,854 acres (1,364 square miles).
Similar situations are underway in northern California, with proposed lease areas moving forward just off the coast of Humboldt Bay and Morro Bay including the expansion of 380 windmills across a nearly 400-square-mile expanse of sea 20 miles northwest of Morro Bay.
“We will continue using every tool in our toolbox to tackle the climate crisis, reduce our emissions to reach the President’s bold goals, and advance environmental justice,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said.
Make sure your voice is heard Friday, June 17th, and make a formal comment directly to representatives from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), who will be in Gold Beach, at the Curry County Fairgrounds, between 8:00am and 12:00pm.
