In 2013 the Office of Sustainability received two grants to fund a 10 kW wind turbine for the new Charleston Marine Life Center at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB). The Office of Sustainability was awarded a $86,000 grant from Pacific Power’s Bluesky Renewable Energy Program and up to $30,000 from Oregon Energy Trust. These grants are matched by $36,000 from UO sources.
Two goals of the project were to supply 100% of the building’s electricity needs and become the first turbine sited in Coos County. In Spring 2014, the project established the permitting process for wind turbines in Coos County and serves as a precedent for future turbines.
The wind turbine was hoisted into place December 5, 2014 and began operating in February, 2015. Due to ongoing maintenance needs and the manufacturer discontinuing its operations, the wind turbine shut down in 2022.