County opposes Wind Project, August 1

Stating they “strongly support the research of renewable ocean technologies,” the Lincoln Co. Board of Commissioners on the Central Oregon Coast; however, is opposed to the locating of a deep water wind project 16 nautical miles off of Coos Bay.  The U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is in the process of issuing a federal permit to Principle Power Inc. to develop the wind farm.  Former commercial fisherman Terry Thompson, chair of the three-member Board in Newport, says in his written letter of testimony to the BOEM, “I really regret that the County is forced to take this tough stand on the Coos Bay Wind Float Project.  It may take place west of Coos Bay, but it will have a major impact on the Pacific Whiting Fishery and Lincoln County’s economy.”  Thompson offered statistics compiled by a Corvallis research firm that showed the Pacific Whiting industry supplied $17.4 million in personal income in Lincoln Co. in 2012.  While Principle Power did consult with the SOORC (Southern Oregon Ocean Resource Council) fisherman’s group, Thompson says SOORC does not represent the interests of the Pacific Whiting Fleet based in Newport, Astoria and Seattle.  The area Principle Power is interested in leasing off of Coos Bay reportedly occupies 10 square miles of productive Whiting fishing grounds.