Oregon should insist that such protections be included in any lease agreements between BOEM and Developers.
Other states have developed language to include in the BOEM leasing agreements to protect citizens and promote economic development for their states and coastal communities. With little time to ensure our coastal communities are protected and benefit from offshore wind development, county commissioners focused on obstruction rather than participation in guiding our futures.
County commissioners could have participated in lease stipulations to protect ratepayers and tribal interests, ensure job development and infrastructure funding, and protect fisheries. Instead, it will now be left to the goodwill of any developer winning the bid to negotiate, if they choose to, with the communities affected. It’s crucial that our communities are actively involved in these negotiations to ensure their best interests are served.
Let’s hope the State of Oregon protects our communities while our commissioners are busy protesting.