On November 10th, 2014, the city of Pawleys Island passed an ordinance that would formally oppose the “placement of any wind turbines in any location where the turbines, or any part of the turbines, are visible, day or night, from thirty feet above mean high water at any point within the town of Pawleys Island.” This was a unanimous decision made by City Council. After further consideration, the ordinance was formally accepted by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on September 9, 2015, which extended the original contract for offshore wind farm leasing off the coast of South Carolina to 10 miles in front of Pawley’s Island, instead of the original 3-mile limit.

The decision to oppose the development of visible wind turbines off the coast of Pawley’s Island was driven by the town as a whole since it is identified as a historic landmark. The beach represents an “integral part of the heritage of the island as well as a source of pleasure and relaxation for it’s many visitors; and the loss of natural vistas from the island is a source of concern for Pawleys residents, property owners and visitors, and places the economic viability, tranquility and history of the area at risk.”

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