Natural Resources & Energy Watch — January 2026
NAIC continues to monitor natural resource and energy development discussions affecting tribal communities and coastal ecosystems on the Southwestern Oregon Coast. This monthly update summarizes recent developments and discussions relevant to tribal sovereignty, cultural resources, and environmental stewardship.
While many decisions occur at federal and regional levels, these developments may affect cultural landscapes, fisheries, and long-term stewardship responsibilities within the traditional homelands of coastal descendant communities.
Mining
DMG Wins $1.5 Million Incentive For Liquid-Cooled Bitcoin Mining - Finimize
The miner is backing hydro direct liquid cooling to cut power use, while January output held steady, equipment ran for profitability, and its Oregon site deal hit a delay.
Q-Gold Bolsters Team and Confidence at Quartz Mountain as Oregon Mine Permitting Advance The Globe and Mail
Q-Gold Resources has strengthened its management team with the appointments of former U.S. Forest Service veteran Catherine Callaghan as Director of Permitting and Community Affairs and seasoned geologist Wolfgang Schleiss as Director of Exploration for Quartz Mountain and the Great Basin.
Baker County commissioners to send letter objecting to proposed renaming of Cracker Creek -Baker City Herald
Baker County commissioners will send a letter to a state board objecting to a proposal to rename Cracker and Little Cracker creeks near Sumpter, and Papoose Creek in the Wallowa Mountains, and arguing that the names have “historical significance” and are not offensive.
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Offshore Wind
Massachusetts and Nova Scotia Launch Collaboration to Advance Offshore Wind Renewable energy magazine
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and the Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston announced the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration on offshore wind development in the North Atlantic.
Maryland's offshore wind project faces legal pushback from Ocean City, Trump administration Montgomery County Sentinel
In addition to local pushback from community members like Gibbs, President Donald Trump issued an executive order during his first month in office withdrawing leases for offshore wind projects. A federal judge overturned that order in December, but US Wind has paused design work on the project as it awaits the resolution of a separate federal court case in which Gibbs’ group and the Trump administration argue the federal permit for the project should be withdrawn.
NAIC provides these updates as part of our commitment to transparency and informed community dialogue. This post is informational and does not represent endorsement of any specific project or proposal.
