The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is taking public comment on two BOEM wind energy projects the federal government wants to install off the coast of Southern Oregon on the outer continental shelf.

According to the Department of Energy, in order to capture the abundant wind resources available offshore, offshore turbines need to be one-and-a-half times the height of the Washington Monument, with blades the length of a football field.

Oregon uses over 48 million megawatt-hours (MWh) per year of electricity, which comes from a combination of hydroelectric (40%), coal (32%), natural gas (17%), land-based wind (7%), nuclear (3%), and other sources (1%). Oregon’s offshore wind farms are projected to produce 2.6 gigawatts (2,600 MWh) requiring 18 wind turbines and foundations, 6,800 miles of cable, and dozens of specialized vessels. For so little, how much will this cost in consumer electric bills, not to mention the maintenance and repairs?

It is not possible to have an accurate environmental risk assessment or estimated production output of these wind farms due to the lack of long-term studies on floating wind farms. There have only been a handful of 5-year studies using prototypes and some of those prototypes were disassembled and recycled after 5 years of use. All prototypes are estimated to have a life span of only 15 years.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The Pacific Ocean is the most powerful of all open oceans and the most destructive. When considering the breakdowns, failures, and fluid leaks that occur within the lifespan of a wind turbine, there is a high probability of environmental damage requiring high maintenance, and failures and leaks will be significant if there is a viable turbine able to withstand the Pacific Ocean for any period.

Some studies show wind turbines in the summer only produce 17% of what they produce in the winter. That means Oregon can only rely on 17% of the actual maximum output or be subject to rolling blackouts every summer.

Oregon offshore wind visual simulations are prepared for six key observation points that illustrate hypothetical wind projects using hypothetical model of a total of 262 20-MW turbines for a total generating capacity of approximately 5,240 MW of renewable energy. The 20MW turbines that are still in the conceptual stage and not commercially available. The simulations are designed to represent a commercially scaled, maximum density, and technically feasible scenario that is consistent with industry trends for operating capacity, wind turbine size, spacing and configuration.

BOEM used a comprehensive process to identify the potential offshore locations that appear most suitable for floating offshore wind energy leasing and potential development, taking into consideration possible impacts to local coastal and marine resources and ocean users.

This project is far reaching, 22% of Oregon’s food supply comes from the ocean. The fishing fleets, which are security for the state, have been sent to California to make room for these wind projects. Diane Rich of Oregon Natural Resource Industries (ONRI) discussed wind turbines on the Rob Taylor Show, says they are going to be assembled in California by Chinese technicians using materials from China. No part of this project benefits Oregon’s economy, and most of the energy escapes when capturing it from the turbines.

Rich asks, why would we spend money to enhance another country and pursue something that will fail? The east coast has had nothing but problem and wants them gone. The noise vibrating into the water has caused 60 dead whales and are killing the birds.

BOEM will accept comments through 11:59 p.m. ET on October 16, 2023. Public meetings will be held in Gold Beach September 26, Coos Bay September 27, and Brookings September 28 from 4 pm to 8 pm. Registration, location and maps. The meeting topics include:

• Next steps on the Oregon offshore wind planning process
• Oregon Draft Wind Energy Areas
• Spatial Modeling Process and Draft Report Results
• BOEM Visual Simulations Study and Results?

--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-09-18 15:49:23

Last Update: 2023-09-18 18:11:45