Aquarium improvements .......... PAGE 4 Tip of the week ........................... PAGE 12
October 26 , 2021
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Harnessing the Oregon Coast wind STAFF REPORT
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regon State University will receive a $2 million grant from the Department of Energy to study the impact of offshore winds on the environment. Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the funding grant. “Moving rapidly to a clean energy future requires having the best and brightest minds provide robust research on ways to make that vision a reality,” Merkley said. “I am pleased OSU will use this grant to lead efforts on offshore wind development research and find ways for offshore wind to safely coexist with our wildlife and fisheries. I will continue fighting for critical resources that will help us combat the climate crisis and move Oregon closer to a clean energy future.” Wyden, author of the Clean Energy Act, said offshore wind presents a key piece of a greener future. “I’m thrilled that OSU has earned this federal investment to apply its top-notch research in Newport to this clean energy source,” Wyden said. “I’m glad the Energy Department has recognized Oregon State can provide the research and data to ensure the development of this clean and sustainable energy source doesn’t hurt our state’s world-renowned coastal fisheries and wildlife.” Wyden and Merkley said offshore wind can play a significant role in the nation’s push towards net-zero emissions and clean energy in the coming years. The Biden administration has announced a goal of having the U.S. reach 100% clean energy by 2035 and have net-zero emissions by 2050. The grant is administered by the National Oceanographic Partnership Program under the Department of Energy and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, along with other energy and ocean wildlife organizations.
History
In a published article July, The News Guard reported that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management had outlined a presentation to the Curry County Board of Commissioners, the agency’s process in identifying locations for some truly massive wind turbines — the largest of which are taller than the Statue of Liberty and the Washington Monument at more than 850 feet — not to mention the span of the whirl-
See WIND ENERGY, Page A4
COURTESY PHOTO
Floating wind turbines, like these at a Hywind wind farm off the coast of Scotland, could be a potential huge industry for the Oregon Coast.
Echo Mountain Complex Wildfire JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
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t 11:45 p.m. Sept. 7, 2020, the Echo Mountain Complex Fire was reported four miles east of Lincoln City. The wildfire erupted quickly and spread fast, burning 288 homes, 339 other structures and displaced 1,500 people, according to Oregon Office of Emergency Management. After the fire was extinguished, rebuilding began. Now, those who helped their neighbors during the devastating blaze are being recognized. North Lincoln Professional Firefighters and the North Lincoln Volunteer Association held a special association meeting Oct. 11 in Otis to give what they described as much deserved recognition to the community members. North Lincoln Professional Firefighters Association Treasurer Eric Maetas said Ryan and Nathan Knott used their own resources when they noticed the need.
COURTESY PHOTO
The King Tides Project is an international grass roots effort to document areas flooded by the highest winter tides. It started in Australia in 2009 and has since spread to the United States and elsewhere around the world.
King tides project returns
SUBMITTED BY COASTWATCH
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very year, Oregon Shores’ volunteer program CoastWatch in partnership with Oregon
Coast Management Program bring the Oregon King Tides Project to the public’s attention. This year, the theme is “King Tides in Your Neigh-
borhood” and the first of four events this season will be a virtual event co-hosted with The Friends of Cape Falcon Marine Reserve. The highest tides of the
year are known as the king tides. These are the tides that coincide with the new and full moons November
VOL. 94 NO. 42
See WILDFIRE, Page A3
See KING TIDES, Page A3
INDEX Classifieds................. 5–6 Opinion..........................8 Obituaries......................9
“They had multiple water tenders out throwing water at anything hot,” Maetas said. “There were times we were notified of a need and by the time we got there the Knott’s had already arrived. We have had many community members come to us with stories about how the fire was getting close to their homes or property and just in time the Knott’s arrived and saved everything.” Maetas said that was was not an isolated incident. “The two spent countless hours on the fire line without being asked to and without asking for recognition.” Otis Market owners Gary and Jason Uppal have also been recognized for their service during the wildfire. “They kept the market open for responders using their own generators and fuel,” Maetas said. “On top of that, they were out in the water tenders with the Knott’s assisting anywhere they could. Rose Lodge Market owner Baldeve Singh runs his business directly across from North Lincoln Fire & Rescue (NLFR) Station 12. Rose Lodge Market is located across Highway 18 from our Rose Lodge Station 12. Station 12 was North Lincoln Fire’s main operations point. The Rose Lodge Market was
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