The Biden Administration canceled on Friday an auction planned for offshore wind development rights near the coast of Oregon, after the governor of the state said that she didn't support the sale.

In a press statement, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (a division of Interior Department) cited a lack of interest by the industry. The sale was originally scheduled for October 15.

On Friday, Tina Kotek, the Governor of Oregon sent a request to BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein to stop offshore wind leasing near Oregon's coast.

Kotek cited concerns raised by groups such as the labor movement, fishing and conservation organizations, and renewable energy advocates, and stated that more time was needed to complete a "roadmap" for offshore wind required by state legislation passed earlier this year.

Kotek wrote in a letter: "I am convinced that offshore winds hold exciting promise as a part of the nation's future clean energy, but in Oregon we must do things the Oregon way." (Reporting and editing by Jonathan Oatis, Aurora Ellis, and Nichola Groom)

(source: Reuters)