Coos Bay had the potential to become a major West Coast hub for the burgeoning floating wind industry. Instead, that opportunity has sailed south to Eureka, California, which will now serve as the primary marshaling port. Meanwhile, Coos Bay is left hoping to play a supporting role—if even that—while Reedsport, better positioned geographically, stands as the likely candidate for the secondary service industry supporting the new offshore leases soon to be auctioned by BOEM.
For five years, we had the chance to prepare, to lay the groundwork for welcoming this inevitable industry. But instead of embracing progress, we hesitated, allowing ourselves to be sidetracked by ideological distractions that have done nothing but undermine our future prospects.
Local governments weren’t the only ones who missed the boat. Tribes could have taken the lead, securing their economic interests and protecting the environment through proactive engagement. But instead, we let baseless opposition dictate the narrative—opposition that, in reality, lacks both substance and influence. It’s absurd to think that the needs of a small coastal community could override the broader interests of the state. Rather than addressing the situation with maturity and foresight, we’ve responded like petulant children, unwilling to adapt to change.
This strategy is bound to fail. It’s time to face the consequences of what could have been, and to rethink our approach before more opportunities slip through our fingers.