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San Juan County approves letter urging OPALCO and FERC to protect marine species in tidal energy review
Summary
Council approved a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and OPALCO asking for transparency and the best available science on impacts to cetaceans in OPALCO’s Rosario Strait tidal energy license application.
San Juan County Council voted Sept. 23 to send a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and OPALCO regarding OPALCO’s draft license application for a Rosario Strait tidal energy project. The letter, drafted with input from the Department of Environmental Stewardship and the county’s Marine Resources Committee, asks OPALCO and regulators to ensure transparency and to consider potential impacts to marine mammals.
Sam Whitridge of Environmental Stewardship briefed the council on the draft letter and said it “stays pretty high level” and asks that best available science be provided about potential impacts to cetaceans and that data be made publicly available prior to FERC approval. Councilmember comments included support for the marine committee’s work and a request to keep the county engaged as the regulatory process proceeds. The council approved the letter by motion.
