Amid mounting opposition to offshore wind development off the coast of Oregon, the federal government announced Friday, Sept. 27, it is delaying a planned auction for the development of two wind energy sites as Gov. Tina Kotek urged the federal agency to halt all leasing plans and stop the auction.

The developments call into question the potential for future development of offshore wind energy off the Oregon coast. The state’s coastal communities, seafood industry and tribes fiercely opposed the federal agency’s plans, which concerned the governor.