Commissioner proposes workshop on hydrogen and other alternatives to offshore wind development

Commissioner Coker used a Dec. 3 agenda item to press for a public workshop to study alternatives to proposed offshore wind projects and to coordinate with Coos County and local utilities.

Coker told the board he believes global developers remain active in pursuing offshore wind despite federal or administrative resistance, and he argued the county should present locally developed, sustainable energy options that could undercut developers' proposals. He suggested alternatives such as nuclear, hydrogen and lower-impact wind and proposed a workshop with Coos County and local utilities (named in the discussion as Kooskuri Electric and Coos-Curry Electric) to develop a roadmap for local energy investment and legislative advocacy.

Commissioners agreed a public workshop would be appropriate and asked staff to plan for public participation. The discussion focused on forming a local strategy for energy alternatives rather than taking an immediate policy vote.

Coker framed the effort as a way to channel legislative attention and to propose solutions that do not "collapse homeowners and rate payers across the regions." No binding commitments of county funds or specific projects were made at the meeting; the item was presented as a planning and engagement step.