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Less than 75 individuals are left in the Southern Resident killer whale population in the Pacific Northwest. They face numerous threats to their survival, yet Orcas Power and Light Cooperative wants to add one more thing that will negatively impact their recovery: a tidal energy turbine. Tell the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission not to allow this turbine in the critical habitat of Southern Resident killer whales!
 

The population of Southern Residents was significantly impacted in 1965-1975 when many individual whales were caught for use in marine parks. In 2005, they were listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, but have yet to fully recover.

Today, the main threats they face are a reduction in their prey, Chinook salmon, pollutants that cause immune and reproductive system dysfunction, and noise and traffic from vessels. Over the past several years, only one-third of pregnancies produced a viable calf, and 50 percent of the calves born die before reaching maturity. In September of 2025, a killer whale named Tahlequah or J36 was observed pushing her dead calf through the water. If we don't do all we can to protect these animals, we will see their extinction.

Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is planning a tidal energy pilot project that is dangerous to this fragile population of orcas. The project includes installing a massive tidal turbine in the Rosario Strait, which is considered “critical habitat” for these orcas. This tidal turbine is larger than a Boeing 747 and will produce chronic underwater noise. All orcas rely on echolocation to hunt effectively, and communication between each other is essential for their survival. This turbine will produce underwater noise that will negatively impact their ability to hunt and communicate. For them to communicate in the vicinity of this turbine would be similar to humans trying to talk in a loud, crowded room. Considering the turbine would only produce enough energy to power about 400 homes, it is not worth risking the extinction of such an endangered species.

The energy project has run into several issues with local groups and individuals. The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community has expressed concern with how little engagement there has been from OPALCO and the lack of transparency. Many San Juan residents have reported feeling dismissed during public meetings.

The Southern Resident killer whales are heavily impacted by climate change, and it's important for us to move away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy. But putting a giant turbine in critical habitat for an already struggling species is not the solution. “If we continue to put obstacles in their way, including a massive tidal turbine,” says Shari Tarantino, executive director of the Orca Conservancy, “At some point they will be unable to adapt. We continue to put nail after nail in their coffin.”

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Public Comment on Docket No. P-15368-001 - Rosario Strait Tidal Energy Project

As a concerned member of the public, I respectfully submit the following comment on Docket No. P-15368-00.
As one of over 250,000 supporters of In Defense of Animals, I am writing to express my strong opposition to the tidal energy pilot project proposed by Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO) in the Rosario Strait. This project poses an unacceptable risk to the critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales, a population that now numbers fewer than 75 individuals.

The Southern Resident killer whales are members of an iconic species who are dangerously close to extinction. They face many threats, including a reduction in their prey, Chinook salmon, pollutants that cause immune and reproductive system dysfunction, and noise and traffic from vessels. Over the past several years, only one-third of pregnancies have produced a viable calf, and 50 percent of the calves born have died before reaching maturity. If we don’t do all we can to protect these animals, we will see their extinction.

OPALCO’s tidal energy pilot project poses a dangerous threat to this fragile population of orcas. The planned location of this project is in a critical habitat for this population and will cause constant distressing underwater noise that will hinder the orcas' ability to communicate and hunt effectively. For them to communicate in the vicinity of this turbine would be similar to humans trying to talk in a loud, crowded room. Considering the turbine would only produce enough energy to power about 400 homes, it is not worth risking the extinction of such an endangered species. 

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this public process.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.