Going Deep on Floating Offshore Wind Energy with Shannon Souza And Joe Liebezeit

Coast Range Radio

On the show today, we’re diving into the exciting and choppy waters of offshore wind!

Floating Off-shore wind energy is relatively a new technology with huge potential. The federal Bureau of Oregon Energy Management estimates up to 3 gigawatts in near-term commercial potential off of the Southern Oregon coast alone. That’s enough power for over 200,000 homes.

I’m excited for today’s topic, because it really encapsulates a lot of the complexity and messiness around what it looks like to actually transition quickly away from fossil fuels. How do we move with the speed necessary to scale into a post-carbon energy society without creating collateral and unforeseen damage? What is the real economic and energy potential of projects like this, and what level of ecological disturbance is acceptable in the name of rapid decarbonization?

To explore these questions, I’m joined by two guests - Joe Liebezeit and Shannon Souza.

Joe Liebezeit has worked for Portland Audubon since 2013 as the staff scientist and leads Audubon's Community Science and Coastal Conservation Programs. Full disclosure - we work together as part of the Oregon Marine Reserves Partnership.

Shannon Souza is the Policy Director for Pacific Ocean Energy Trust, co-founder of Oregon Coast Energy Alliance Network, and owns Sol Coast Companies, a renewable energy design, construction, and consulting business based in Coos Bay.
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Links and Resources Mentioned in the Show:
Audubon action alert, with links: https://audubonportland.org/take-action/help-ensure-new-coastal-wind-energy-projects-avoid-wildlife-conflicts/
Pacific Ocean Energy Trust (POET): https://pacificoceanenergy.org/

Oregon Coastal Energy Alliance Network (OCEAN): https://www.oregonenergyalliance.org/

Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition Youtube panel presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjNZpbmLm20

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Selected studies: https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/regions/pacific-ocs-region/environmental-science/Selected-BOEM-Research-Renewable-OR_4.pdf
Oregon Department of Energy - Oregon Renewable Energy Siting Assessment (ORESA): https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/Pages/ORESA.aspx
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