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:
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Effective stakeholder engagement
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Local and regional coastal communities
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The creation of economic opportunities and sustainment of existing local and regional economies
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The creation of an offshore wind energy workforce that is local, trained, housed and
equitable
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Protection of tribal cultural and archaeological resources, culturally significant viewsheds and other interests of Indian tribes
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Protection of the environment and marine species
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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.