Offshore Wind Leasing on the Horizon

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) aims to finish leasing processes and begin bids for Floating offshore wind off Oregon’s coast by the end of 2024. This directive is part of President Biden’s goal to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind electricity by 2030. 

So far, BOEM has identified Wind Energy Areas for leasing off the South coast, near Brookings and Coos Bay. 

In early May, three concurrent public comment opportunities launched: 

Environmental Assessment

• BOEM released an Environmental Assessment (EA) for offshore wind leasing and site characterization activities, required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
• This assessment is limited in scope, and focused on expected impacts from site research (deploying instruments and buoys, taking sediment samples, conducting site surveys, etc), and not full-scale impacts from construction and development
• Findings of the EA determine whether the agency will have to prepare an environmental impact statement prior to lease issuance, which is more comprehensive in scope.
• A virtual public meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 1 p.m. This is an opportunity to learn about the EA, ask questions, and provide comment
• Formal written public comments are due Friday, June 14, 2024 by 8:49 p.m.

Proposed Sale Notice

• BOEM also released a Proposed Sale Notice (PSN), which sets the conditions for leasing in federal waters
• After incorporating public comment, a Final Sale Notice will begin the auction process
• This is an opportunity to comment on lease conditions, including community benefit agreements, bid credits (for investment in conservation, workforce development, environmental justice, Tribal support, research and monitoring, etc) 
• A virtual public meeting will be held Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 5 p.m. This is an opportunity to learn about the PSN, ask questions, and provide comment
• Formal written public comments are due July 1, 2024 by 8:50 p.m.

Federal Consistency Review

• • The Oregon Coastal Management Program (OCMP) has begun their Federal Consistency review of BOEM’s proposed leasing activities off Oregon’s coast.
  • This is an opportunity for the state to take a leadership role in the offshore wind leasing process, protect Oregon’s marine resources, and set conditions on federal actions 

• We believe this is the most important public comment period to prioritize as Oregonians!
• A series of public meetings will take place for the agency to seek feedback from impacted communities. Links and info available on website:
  • May 29, noon-3 p.m. (Virtual)
  • June 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (Brookings)
  • June 4, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (Coos Bay)
  • June 6, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (Florence)
  • June 7, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (Newport)
• Public comments to the state can be emailed to coast.permits@dlcd.oregon.gov or submitted on this webform by Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Looking for more information? Here is a comment guide we created in coordination with Rogue Climate. 

Want help writing your comment? Join us on June 10 for a remote comment writing workshop.

Photo courtesy of Kalmiopsis Audubon