OFFSHORE WIND ON THE SOUTH COAST
ENGAGING TO ENSURE A TRANSPARENT AND COMMUNITY-LED PROCESS
WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH OFFSHORE WIND ON THE SOUTH COAST?
Map of BOEM final Wind Energy Areas
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.
The Oregon Area Identification Memorandum reviews the previous phases of the WEA process and potential impacts on fisheries; please review that document for detailed information
TAKE ACTION
The state of Oregon is conducting its first review of proposed offshore wind development and is seeking public comment by June 15th, 2024. This is a critical time for coastal voices to tell the state of Oregon what’s important to consider as it reviews the next steps in the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management’s (BOEM) proposal to lease areas for a potential offshore wind project.
South Coast communities can help shape this process by writing comments to Oregon’s Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD).
How to write a comment
This process, called the Federal Consistency Review, can be challenging to understand. Watch the recorded virtual comment writing workshop so we can walk through it together. Learn about the current status of floating offshore wind development in Oregon and how to engage in this comment opportunity through state agencies.
Additional comment periods happening now
We are currently in the middle of two federal comment periods in addition to the state comment period. This includes the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management’s (BOEM) Environmental Assessment Comment Period and the Proposed Sale Notice Comment Period.
Note: If you can only participate in one comment period, we recommend making a comment on the DLCD Federal Consistency Review.
Comment on BOEM’s draft Environmental Assessment for offshore wind leasing
Comments open: May 1, 2024
Comments close: June 14, 2024 at 8:59 PM PT
This Environmental Assessment considers environmental consequences for issuing commercial wind leases and site assessment activities in the Wind Energy Areas.
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.
A JUST TRANSITION
Communities are experiencing the impacts of climate change on the South Coast. It is necessary to transition away from fossil fuel energy–but that transition must happen in the right way. Community benefits must outweigh potential harm in all phases of an offshore wind project.
Read the report: Principles for a Just Transition in Offshore Wind Energy
In order for offshore wind to move forward on the South Coast, the process must meet these priorities:
Meaningful Tribal consultation and respect for Indigenous Sovereignty. 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.
South Coast community participation in the process and decision-making to ensure that South Coast communities (including local representatives from Tribes, fishing industry, marine biologists, environmental justice advocates, and more) are at the planning and decision-making table.
Protections for the Coos Bay Estuary to ensure minimal impacts to this essential ecosystem, fisheries, & cultural resources.
Strong sustainable labor provisions including job training for people transitioning from other industries, local hiring, and well-paying union jobs.
Local energy resilience benefits 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.
Community benefits > Corporate profits 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.
WHAT IS FLOATING OFFSHORE WIND?
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.
VOICES FROM THE SOUTH COAST
Many South Coast community members are not against offshore wind as a way to transition off of fossil fuel energy, but so far BOEM has not adequately addressed community concerns about the process and possible long-term impacts. Now, communities are demanding the BOEM address these concerns and commit to thorough public engagement before moving forward with offshore wind leases.
During the fall of 2022, Rogue Climate hosted a series of community conversations to identify community priorities that must be considered in potential FOSW development. However, this is not a comprehensive reflection of all South Coast residents’ and constituencies’ opinions. This is our best qualitative representation of what we heard in these sessions, and strongly encourag more opportunities to engage and listen to South Coast communities, especially low income, rural, and Indigenous people. Read the report here.
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