Following the direction of House Bill 4080 from the 2024 legislative session, the Department of Land Conservation and Development is leading the development of an Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap for the State of Oregon. The Roadmap will define standards to be considered in the processes related to offshore wind energy development and approval. The standards defined in the Offshore Wind Roadmap must support:

(a) Effective stakeholder engagement;

(b) Local and regional coastal communities;

(c) The creation of economic opportunities and sustainment of existing local and regional economies;

(d) The creation of an offshore wind energy workforce that is local, trained, housed and equitable;

(e) Protection of tribal cultural and archaeological resources, culturally significant viewsheds and other interests of Indian tribes;

(f) Protection of the environment and marine species; and

(g) Achievement of Oregon's energy and climate policy objectives. This includes energy resource diversity, reliability and resilience of state and regional energy systems.

The Roadmap may also result in strategies Oregon pursues to direct future research, investment, engagement, partnerships, or other activities related to the potential development of an offshore wind presence in Oregon.

The Roadmap development process is not a formal rulemaking effort. The Roadmap will not directly create or amend laws, rules, or other enforceable policies. New state enforceable policies would occur through separate processes which the Roadmap would identify and inform. 

DLCD will conduct outreach and engagement with state agencies, local governments, and affected communities to support developing the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap. DLCD is also working with Tribal Governments on how they want to be involved in the formation of the Roadmap. Community engagement will provide critical feedback to DLCD as we respond to HB 4080.

DLCD is required to submit a report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to marine renewable energy and coastal resources no later than September 1, 2025. The report must include an assessment of the state enforceable policies that may be used in the federal consistency review of offshore wind energy leasing decisions and any other actions related to offshore wind energy development off of the Oregon coast. The assessment must also evaluate agency capacity to support future permit reviews and address any effects that could result from offshore wind energy development. 

Roundtable for the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap

The process used to develop a state Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap is as important as the content. DLCD will appoint members of a Roundtable for the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap (Roadmap Roundtable) to hold collaborative conversations around offshore wind energy development and advise on creating the Roadmap’s policy and strategy recommendations.

The Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap development process will include opportunities for community engagement through June 2025. DLCD will also be seeking information and guidance directly from certain affected communities  as part of the Roadmap development process. 

DLCD hopes to engage and learn from a diverse group representing the Oregon Coast and Oregonians as a whole in this process. DLCD is committed to seeking the guidance of and centering the needs of historically marginalized communities in the development of the Offshore Wind Roadmap.

How Can I Be Involved in the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap?

If you are interested in staying informed on the progress of the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap, please sign up for our listerv here: Sign up to receive notices and updates from DLCD on Offshore Wind

The Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap development process will offer multiple ways to participate, including:

Roadmap Roundtable Meetings

Monthly meetings of the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap Roundtable are public and include options to attend virtually or in-person. Public comment opportunities will be available during the meetings. Meeting summaries will be posted on this website, and recordings of the meetings will be available on the DLCD YouTube Channel.

Roadmap Working Groups

DLCD plans to hold virtual subject-specific Working Group meetings to bring together groups for more focused discussions of specific Roadmap elements, such as fisheries coordination, environmental effects research, community engagement, or development-centered strategies. More information about Working Groups will be posted on this website as it becomes available.

Focus Groups and Direct Engagement

DLCD plans to hold direct conversations with certain affected communities and local governments, and we are open to invitations from interested groups to attend events, hold talks, or engage in dialogue in other ways about the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap.

Public Meetings (dates TBD)

At key points in the Roadmap development process, DLCD plans to host public meetings to communicate progress on the Roadmap and invite community feedback.

Draft Roadmap Comments

DLCD will offer opportunity for public comment on draft Roadmap materials.

For questions or feedback related to the Offshore Wind Roadmap development process, reach out to Jeff Burright, Offshore Wind Roadmap Coordinator:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: 503-991-8479

Further Background

From 2019 to 2024, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) led an information gathering and engagement process to identify Wind Energy Areas off the coast of Oregon for  potential future offshore wind energy development. This process generated a significant amount of interest from Oregon communities, including concerns and questions from coastal communities who had concerns about future offshore wind energy development.

In 2023, at the request of representatives from the renewable energy sector, fishing industry, labor unions, environmental groups, and other interests, Oregon Consensus facilitated an informal work group to explore the impacts and benefits of offshore wind energy along Oregon’s coast. This work group recommended Oregon develop an “Offshore Wind Roadmap with Exit Ramps.” The Roadmap is intended to offer a comprehensive vision and practical guidelines for how Oregon might incorporate offshore wind energy with the environment, existing ocean uses, cultures, and communities.

This effort contributed to the passage of House Bill 4080 in the 2024 Oregon Legislative Session, which directed DLCD to lead a Roadmap development process for the state.

In April 2024, the United States Department of Interior announced proposed auction details and lease terms for two areas off the Oregon coast for offshore wind energy development.

The Oregon Coastal Management Program (OCMP), led by DLCD, conducted a Federal Consistency review of the proposed BOEM leasing action, which concluded July 17, 2024. The OCMP responded to BOEM with a decision letter determining that the proposed leasing action is consistent with the enforceable policies of the state coastal management program, provided multiple conditions are included with the action. These conditions addressed topic areas such as species and habitat protection, ongoing state involvement in offshore surveys, protection of archaeological resources, and coordination with affected users of ocean resources.