WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH OFFSHORE WIND ON THE SOUTH COAST?

 In February of 2024, the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) announced two final offshore wind energy areas (WEA’s) off the South Coast of Oregon.  WEA’s are the areas within original Call Areas identified by BOEM where potential wind leases could occur following environmental review.

Community members are urging BOEM to adequately address the concerns of coastal communities, Tribes, elected officials, and local businesses before moving forward with leasing the wind energy areas to offshore wind project developers.

The announcement of the final wind energy areas does not mean that a floating offshore wind project is guaranteed to be built. If and how offshore wind projects are constructed in these areas will depend on many State and Federal permits over the next few years, with opportunities for community voices to weigh in along the way.

los Oregon Area Identification Memorandum reviews the previous phases of the WEA process and potential impacts on fisheries; please review that document for detailed information

TOMA ACCIÓN

South Coast communities can help shape this process by writing comments to Oregon’s Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD).

Comment on BOEM’s Proposed Sale Notice

Comments open: May 1, 2024
Comments close: July 1, 2024.

The Proposed Sale Notice highlights the auction and criteria for bidders on potential offshore wind projects within the Wind Energy Areas. BOEM is seeking public comments on which, if any, of the two lease areas should be offered in a lease sale this year.

WHAT’S AHEAD?

BOEM is hoping to move forward with leasing parcels within the wind energy areas to offshore wind developers as soon as October 2024. But first, the areas that they selected must undergo an Environmental Assessment with public comment, and an assessment by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development with public hearings and a 60 day comment period.

If the wind energy areas are approved, developers will be able to apply for leases. But that still doesn’t guarantee that a project will be built. Developers must make a project proposal and go through more review and assessment before starting any construction.

There will be important moments for community members to speak up to help shape this process along the way. It is crucial that BOEM follow the lead of coastal communities throughout each phase.

In order for offshore wind to move forward on the South Coast, the process must meet these priorities:

Consulta tribal significativa y el respeto a la Soberanía Indígena. Meaningful consultation and prior and informed consent of Tribes on the South Coast who’s cultural and natural resources could be impacted by floating offshore wind must be required for a project to move forward.  

Participación de la comunidad de la costa sur en el proceso y toma de decisiones para garantizar que las comunidades de la costa sur (incluidos los representantes locales de las tribus, la industria pesquera, los biólogos marinos, los defensores de la justicia ambiental y más) estén en la mesa de planificación y toma de decisiones. 

Protecciones para el estuario de Coos Bay para asegurar impactos mínimos a este ecosistema esencial, pesquerías y recursos culturales. 

Strong sustainable labor provisions incluyendo capacitación laboral para personas que están en transición de otras industrias, contratación local y trabajos sindicales bien remunerados. 

Beneficios de la resiliencia energética local including working with local electric co-ops and larger utilities to ensure energy infrastructure improves on the South Coast so communities have reliable, affordable energy in the case of extreme weather or disaster.

Beneficios para la comunidad > Beneficios corporativos If leasing moves forward, BOEM should use a multi-factoral bidding process that awards leases based on a project merits, not price. This process must require developers to reach Community Benefits Agreements and Project Labor Agreements with Tribes, local seafood industry, environmental justice organizations, conservation organizations, labor, and other stakeholders directly impacted by the proposal.

¿QUÉ ES LA EÓLICA MARINA FLOTANTE?

Floating offshore wind is a relatively new renewable energy technology that places floating wind turbines off the coast in deep water.  This is the technology proposed off of Oregon’s South Coast because of the depths of the ocean floor. Floating turbines are attached to the deep ocean floor by cables. Energy generated by the turbines are transported to shore by cables under the water, and then connected to the broader electric grid.

Climate change requires that we transition away from fossil fuels and seek our sights on clean energy, but that transition must be just and beneficial for local communities. In order for offshore wind to be part of that transition on the south coast, it must be led by Tribes and community members, minimize harm to natural environments, and protect maritime industries from displacement.

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