Posted on October 16, 2024
As Oregon continues to lead in protecting the environment by transitioning away from fossil fuels, the need for new renewable energy is greater than ever. Our state legislature passed a commitment to 100% clean electricity by 2040, yet burning fossil fuels still represents a major portion of Oregon’s electricity mix. One emerging option stirring both interest and concern is floating offshore wind along the Oregon coast. With the potential to harness significant clean energy from the strong, consistent winds off the Pacific Ocean, floating offshore wind could play a key role in Oregon’s transition to a climate-resilient future. However, with this opportunity come questions about the technology’s impact on local communities, Tribes, industries, and the environment.
The Need for Renewable Energy in Oregon
The science is unequivocal: we must stop burning fossil fuels to avert the worst possible climate change outcomes. Offshore wind offers the potential for a consistent, powerful renewable energy source that could help Oregon achieve its target of 100% clean electricity by 2040. Wind energy on land is already a significant contributor to Oregon’s power grid, and floating offshore wind could expand this clean energy portfolio even further.
The federal government has set a goal of generating 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power across the nation by 2030. Already, there are enough approved projects outside of Oregon to generate over 13 gigawatts of offshore wind power to serve nearly 5 million U.S. homes. But the North Pacific coast is unique and relatively undeveloped, and our local communities, Tribes, industries, and ecosystems need to be prioritized in order for offshore wind to work in Oregon.
Understanding Floating Offshore Wind
Floating offshore wind is an exciting frontier in renewable energy. Unlike traditional fixed-bottom turbines, floating turbines can be positioned in deeper waters where winds are stronger and more consistent—making them especially promising for the steep ocean floor off Oregon’s coast. Our coastal waters offer some of the best wind energy generation potential in North America. However, floating offshore wind is still relatively new, and its environmental and social impacts are not fully understood.
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) oversees offshore renewable energy projects in federal waters, balancing the development of wind, wave, and solar power with other ocean uses such as commercial fishing. BOEM has identified two areas off Oregon’s southern coast as potential sites for floating offshore wind farms: one near the communities of Florence, Reedsport, and Coos Bay and the other near the communities of Gold Beach, Brookings, and Crescent City, California. Together, wind energy generated in these areas could eventually power over a million homes.
Community Concerns and Ballot Measures in Coos and Curry Counties
Despite the promise of offshore wind, many coastal communities have raised concerns about its potential impacts on marine life, local economies, and cultural sites. County commissioners in Coos and Curry counties have introduced non-binding ballot measures that will allow residents to voice their opinions on offshore wind development.
This November, voters in these counties will weigh in on whether their county commissioners should oppose floating offshore wind projects off Oregon’s southern coast. While these initiatives won’t create new laws, they will provide insight into local sentiment, which could influence future decisions at the state and federal levels. If you live and vote in Coos or Curry County we highly recommend learning about offshore wind as a potential contributor to the states energy grid and a developing industry in your area.
Lease Sale Delay: A Chance to Reassess
In late September, BOEM postponed the much-anticipated lease auction for offshore wind development off Oregon’s coast, citing a lack of interest from bidders. This decision came just after Governor Kotek publicly called for a halt to the leasing process, citing concerns raised by Tribes, environmental advocates, and the fishing industry.
The delay provides Oregon with an opportunity to reassess its approach and create a thoughtful roadmap for offshore wind development. Oregon is now moving forward with its Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap, which was created by our state legislature to ensure meaningful community engagement and environmental safeguards as floating offshore wind is explored in Oregon. Making your voice heard with Oregonians involved in the Oregon Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap is a productive way to help communities and the environment get the best deal possible if offshore wind moves forward.
Tribal Lawsuit Against BOEM
The Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in September, claiming BOEM has failed to adequately consider the environmental, cultural, and economic impacts of potential floating offshore wind development along the Oregon Coast.
The lawsuit alleges violations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), asserting that BOEM did not conduct a thorough environmental impact statement. The Tribes argue that a comprehensive assessment is necessary to evaluate the cumulative effects of proposed projects and to consider alternatives that exclude critical habitat areas. Tribal Council Chair Brad Kneaper emphasized the desire for collaboration which is possible now that the lease sale auction has been delayed.
As we navigate the complex landscape of offshore wind development, it is vitally important that we work in solidarity with the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians. Their voices and insights are crucial in ensuring that renewable energy initiatives respect and protect the environmental, cultural, and economic values integral to their communities. Meaningful consultation and collaboration with the tribes are not just legal obligations; they are essential steps towards creating a sustainable and equitable energy future. Indigenous peoples have lived in relationship with the land and waters that are now called Oregon since time immemorial, and even so-called “clean” power like Columbia and Snake River hydroelectric dams have violated Tribal treaty rights and upended Native ways of life.
By prioritizing Tribal input, we can develop offshore wind projects that truly benefit all Oregonians while safeguarding the rich cultural heritage and fragile ecosystems of our coast. It is our collective responsibility to advocate for a process that honors the agency of the Tribes, fostering a renewable energy landscape that is inclusive, respectful, and just.
What Comes Next: Oregon’s Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap
Oregon is now shifting its focus to developing the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap, a planning process guided by the passage of House Bill 4080 in 2024. This roadmap will outline the standards and processes for offshore wind development, with an emphasis on community engagement, environmental protection, job creation, and the safeguarding of tribal and cultural resources.
The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) is leading this effort and will consult a diverse group of stakeholders through a “Roadmap Roundtable.” This process, expected to last through June 2025, will help shape future decisions about offshore wind in Oregon. While the roadmap won’t create new laws, it will set important guidelines for how offshore wind can be developed responsibly.
Voters in Coos and Curry Counties should make their voices heard during the Oregon Offshore Wind Roadmap process in order to truly make a difference in the outcomes of offshore wind. Democracy is about participating in the conversations where decisions get shaped, even after our ballots have been cast.
Sierra Club’s Vision for Offshore Wind: A Just Transition
The Oregon Sierra Club supports renewable energy, including offshore wind, as part of the broader goal to build a climate-resilient future. However, we believe that any new development must be done responsibly, with a focus on equity, environmental protection, and community involvement. For us, offshore wind development is not just about achieving clean energy—it’s about doing so in a way that benefits everyone, especially frontline communities that are often most impacted by climate change.
Our approach emphasizes three key principles:
- Protecting Marine Ecosystems: Strong protections for marine life and ecosystems are essential to minimize the environmental impact of offshore wind projects.
- Engaging Local Communities: Coastal and Indigenous communities must have a say in how offshore wind is developed. Their concerns, especially regarding the fishing industry and cultural resources, must be heard and addressed.
- Supporting a Just Transition: As we transition to clean energy, it’s crucial that the benefits, such as jobs and investment, reach historically marginalized communities. Offshore wind can be part of this effort if it is developed equitably.
How You Can Get Involved
With the lease sale delayed and the roadmap process underway, now is a critical time for Oregonians to follow and engage in the conversation about offshore wind. The roadmap process will offer several opportunities for public input, and your voice can help shape Oregon’s renewable energy future.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Attend community meetings and public hearings about offshore wind.
- Stay informed by reading our in-depth communications and reports.
- Join our volunteer teams to advocate for a just and equitable transition to clean energy.
As we work toward a just transition to 100% clean energy, your participation is essential. Together, we can build a climate-resilient Oregon that protects people, communities, Tribes, and ecosystems for generations to come.
