US shelves Oregon offshore wind auction after protest from governor

(Reuters) -The Biden administration on Friday canceled a planned auction of offshore wind development rights off the coast of Oregon after the state's governor said she did not support the sale.

The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, a division of the Interior Department, in a press release cited insufficient interest from the industry. The sale had been scheduled for Oct. 15.

But earlier on Friday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek sent a letter to BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein seeking a halt to offshore wind leasing off the Oregon coast.

Kotek cited broad concerns from labor, fishing, conservation and renewable energy groups and said the state needed more time to complete an offshore wind "roadmap" process required by a state law passed earlier this year.

"I remain convinced that offshore wind holds exciting promise to be part of our nation’s clean energy future, but in Oregon, actions of significance must be done the Oregon way," Kotek said in the letter.

Source: Investing.com