The Department of Energy has given Pacific Northwest National Laboratory $1.7 million to help with offshore wind projects, including one in Coos Bay, Ore.

Principal Power of Seattle plans to install five 6-megawatt turbines on floating platforms 10 to 15 miles offshore from Coos Bay in the Pacific Ocean.

PNNL will receive $1.4 million through fall 2014 to lead and coordinate environmental assessments and help obtain the permits needed for the project.

It also will evaluate the wind resources at the site.

PNNL received smaller grants to help with offshore wind projects at Monhegan Island, Maine, and in Lake Erie.

PNNL will characterize acoustic and electromagnetic fields that will be produced by the installation and operation of a floating wind farm near Monhegan Island.

It also will study the visual impacts of the wind farm.