House Bill 4080 in the 2024 Legislative Session directed the Department of Land Conservation and Development (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:
- Effective stakeholder engagement
- Local and regional coastal communities
- The creation of economic opportunities and sustainment of existing local and regional economies
- The creation of an offshore wind energy workforce that is local, trained, housed and equitable
- Protection of tribal cultural and archaeological resources, culturally significant viewsheds and other interests of Indian tribes
- Protection of the environment and marine species
- Achievement of state energy and climate policy objectives, including energy resource diversity, reliability and resilience of state and regional energy systems
DLCD will appoint members of the Roundtable for the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap (Roadmap Roundtable) to advise on development of the Roadmap content and engagement process. DLCD will be 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. Members may be invited to participate in working groups focused on specific topics. Topic areas could include: environmental effects, supply chain and port development, workforce development and labor standards, fisheries effects, community benefit, equity, state and local permitting, or others.
The Roadmap Roundtable is expected to involve all-day meetings held once a month (in-person, virtual, or hybrid). Virtual working group meetings will be held as needed.
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.
The Offshore Wind 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.