Oregonians Against Wind Turbines

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Oregon tribes sue federal government to stop offshore wind auction

The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians are suing the federal government in an attempt to stop Oregon’s first-ever offshore wind energy auction scheduled to take place next month.

The lawsuit, filed late on Friday, challenges the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s environmental analysis and decision to proceed with the sale of leases for two offshore wind energy areas totaling nearly 195,000 acres, one near Coos Bay and the other near Brookings.

It’s one of many legal challenges filed in recent years by local governments, fishing, environmental and other groups seeking to stop offshore wind surveying and construction on both the West and East coasts.

The agency finalized the lease sale and its provisions three weeks ago, announcing the auction will take place on Oct. 15. Four out-of-state companies and one Oregon-based developer are set to bid on the leases.

Oregon’s wind energy areas are within the confederated tribes’ ancestral territory. The tribes say they contain critical fish and marine wildlife habitat, viewsheds of significant cultural and historic significance and key tribal and commercial fishing grounds — all of which could be damaged by offshore wind, creating irreparable economic and cultural losses for the tribes.

The tribes say they want to stop the lease sale and force the federal bureau to conduct a full environmental analysis of how massive floating offshore wind turbines would impact the marine environment and local fisheries off the Oregon coast.

The federal bureau’s environmental analysis, released this summer, focused only on the impacts of surveys and site assessment activities of the lease areas, such as the temporary placement of meteorological buoys in the areas.

The analysis did not look at the impact of constructing or operating the wind turbines, of placing cables or anchors on the seafloor or of constructing additional port and land-based infrastructure needed to support the offshore wind farms.

Much of the floating wind technology is still in development and its impacts are unknown, said the tribes. The world’s first commercial floating offshore wind farm in Scotland uses turbines that are much smaller than those that would be in use on the Oregon coast.

“[B]efore the lease auction occurs, BOEM needs to do the proper environmental analysis,” Rick Eichstaedt, attorney for the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, told The Oregonian/OregonLive. “We’re turning a blind eye to what everybody knows is going to occur, which is construction and operation.”

Author-

Gosia Wozniacka covers environmental justice, climate change, the clean energy transition and other environmental issues. Reach her at gwozniacka@oregonian.com or 971-421-3154. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com . ©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit oregonlive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

STOP THE WIND TURBINES

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Offshore floating wind turbine development, often heralded as a clean energy solution, has been shown to create significant negative environmental, economic, and social impacts which far outweigh its potential benefits. It is essential to vote YES on Measure 8-116 in Curry County and YES on Measure 6-219 in Coos County to STOP this Federal Government project.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

First, there are disastrous environmental impacts accompanying offshore floating wind turbines:

Disruption of marine ecosystems.
Death and destruction of native populations of whales, porpoises, and dolphins.
Reduction of coastal biodiversity.
Negative changes in wind, wave, and atmospheric patterns.
Habitat destruction.
Electromagnetic field effects from power cables.
Pollution of seawater and the food chain from highly toxic materials.
Noise pollution.
Increased navigation risks.

ECONOMIC IMPACTS

Economically, the development and operation of offshore wind farms are problematic. The initial investment is enormous, far more expensive than truly eco-friendly energy solutions. These high costs make offshore wind turbine projects prohibitive without massive taxpayer and utility rate-payer subsidies. Additionally, the maintenance and operation of offshore floating turbines are significantly more expensive than their onshore counterparts due to harsh marine conditions. These added costs result in higher energy prices, disproportionately affecting low-income households and small businesses.

SOCIAL IMPACTS

Socially, the implementation of offshore wind farms will lead to significant disruptions in coastal communities. The fishing industry, vital to the livelihoods of many Curry and Coos residents, will suffer due to restricted access to fishing grounds and the potential decline in fish populations caused by habitat disruption. Moreover, the visual impact of offshore wind turbines on coastal landscapes can harm tourism, a crucial economic driver for many Oregon seaside communities. The towering structures can mar the natural beauty of coastal areas, deterring visitors and negatively impacting local businesses.

While the pursuit of renewable energy is crucial, offshore floating wind turbine development presents substantial environmental, economic, and social challenges which can cripple Curry County. Vote YES on Measure 8-116 to STOP offshore floating wind turbine development along our southern Oregon coast.

What we stand to lose . . .

25% of our Processed Seafood Comes from the California Current

Hundreds of Wind Turbines standing over 1,100+ ft tall, hooked together and anchored to the sea floor will create unforseen consequenses. Yet not a single Environmental Impact Statement has been required to build these Turbines in the middle of one of the world's most important food sources. Why Risk our Food Source?

Whales & Endangered Species

Hundred of whales, dolphins and other sea mammals have washed ashore along the east coast. A pod of 77 whales washed ashore in Scotland near the deepest offshore turbine installation. The west coast turbines are already causing questions in California as well.

The Costs

We enjoy pristine coastal vistas and fresh seafood. We watch whales at sunset along the coast. We go fishing from some of most beautiful ocean ports and catch salmon and halibut within minutes of our homes. We will lose our access to all the of this inexchange for a high priced experiment.

All that is the cost of wind energy.

Our affordable .15 cents per kilowatt power costs will be raised 100x's.

Our coastal lifestyle will be lost.

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Oregon tribes sue federal government to stop offshore wind auction

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Welcome to

Oregonians Against Wind Turbines!

Welcome to OREGONIANS AGAINST WIND TURBINES

Historical Vote- first in the nation!

Coos County 60.08% Oppose

Curry County 79.80% Oppose

Breaking Wind CAMPAIGN

EXTRA, EXTRA, Read All About it

Oregon tribes sue federal government to stop offshore wind auction

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STOP THE WIND TURBINES

What we stand to lose . . .

25% of our Processed Seafood Comes from the California Current

Whales & Endangered Species

The Costs

Join Oregonians Against Wind Turburbines

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Join our Army!

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We won't have a society if we destroy the environment.

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