DLCD Hosting Coastal Community Meetings on the Oregon Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap
The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) will be hosting a series of community meetings along the Oregon coast related to the development of a state Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap, as directed by the Oregon Legislature. DLCD has been hosting meetings with an Offshore Wind Roadmap Roundtable since November 2024, with a goal of completing a Roadmap by mid-2026. As part of the Roadmap development, we are interested in sharing our progress and hearing feedback from community members.
The first meeting will be held in Seaside, Oregon on Thursday, April 24th (details below). DLCD is planning future meetings in Brookings and Coos Bay in May and June, respectively.
The community meetings will be an opportunity to learn more about the status of offshore wind in Oregon and the state Roadmap, as well as the opportunities community members have to add their perspectives to the process. The meeting program is as follows:
- Welcome and presentation about the status of offshore wind in Oregon and the Offshore Wind Roadmap 5:30 p.m.
- Q&A, Public Comment 6:15 p.m.
- In-Room Interactive and Learning Opportunities 7:00 p.m
- Adjourn 8:00 p.m.
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DLCD Community Meetings
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Date
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Time
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Location
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April 24th (Thursday)
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5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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Bob Chisholm Community Center,
1225 Avenue A, Seaside, OR 97138
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May 14th (Tentative)
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5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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Brookings-Harbor High School
8293, 625 Pioneer Rd., Brookings, OR 97415
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June 16th or 18th (TBD)
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5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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Sunset Middle School
245 S Cammann St., Coos Bay, OR 97420
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More About the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap
House Bill 4080 in the 2024 Legislative Session directed DLCD to develop an Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap that defines standards to be considered in the processes related to offshore wind energy development and approval.
According to House Bill 4080, the standards defined in the Offshore Wind Roadmap must support:
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Effective stakeholder engagement
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Local and regional coastal communities
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The creation of economic opportunities and sustainment of existing local and regional economies
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The creation of an offshore wind energy workforce that is local, trained, housed and equitable
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Protection of tribal cultural and archaeological resources, culturally significant viewsheds and other interests of Indian tribes
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Protection of the environment and marine species
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Achievement of state energy and climate policy objectives, including energy resource diversity, reliability and resilience of state and regional energy systems
To support development of the Roadmap, DLCD appointed members of a Roundtable for the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap (Roadmap Roundtable) to advise on development of the Roadmap content and engagement process. Through these Roundtable meetings, DLCD has been seeking information, perspectives, and suggestions related to the topic areas identified in HB 4080. The Roadmap Roundtable also may provide guidance on strategic planning steps the state should consider including in the Roadmap to direct future research, investment, engagement, partnerships, or other activities related to the potential development of an offshore wind presence in Oregon.
Visit the DLCD Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap web page to find more information about the Roadmap process, sign up for notices and updates related to the Roadmap, and find information from our past and upcoming meetings. Every meeting of the Roadmap Roundtable is open to the public, with a remote participation option and an opportunity for comment. Meetings are livestreamed on YouTube and available to view afterward. The Roadmap webpage also includes past meeting materials and registration links for upcoming meetings as they become available. DLCD intends to provide a draft Roadmap for broad public comment before submitting it to the legislature.
Please note that the Roadmap development process is not a formal rulemaking effort. The Roadmap process or recommendations cannot directly create or amend laws, rules, or other enforceable policies. Any amendments to state enforceable policies would occur through separate public processes the Roadmap would identify and inform. DLCD hopes to engage and learn from a diverse group representing 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.
Federal Priorities and the Oregon Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap
While the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development is evaluating federal priorities surrounding the topic of offshore wind energy, it is important to Oregonians that this work continue. If offshore wind is part of Oregon’s future, it is important to hear from many voices and perspectives as we consider the benefits and ramifications.
The Roadmap provides Oregon an opportunity to look at the policies in place to address offshore wind energy development and to better position itself in any future federal offshore wind permitting process.
DLCD remains committed to completing the Roadmap and policy evaluation for the state, regardless of current development potential.
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