OREGON DEPARTMENT OF LAND CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT (DLCD): Draft Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap Available for Public Review, Public Meetings Scheduled

(SALEM, OR) – The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) has released a draft of an Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap for public review. The public may comment from February 17 – April 3, 2026. DLCD is hosting a series of virtual and in-person meetings in February and March to provide information about the Roadmap draft and inviting community members to comment. The Roadmap will be completed by mid-2026 and submitted to the Oregon legislature as recommendations.

The Roadmap draft may be accessed by the following links:

DLCD was directed by House Bill 4080 (2024) to develop an Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap on behalf of the state that defines standards to be considered in the processes related to offshore wind energy development and approval. The draft Roadmap defines standards around environmental protection, community interests, workforce development, economic opportunities, tribal and cultural resource protection, and the achievement of the state’s energy and climate goals. It also identifies actions and opportunities that could move the state responsibly along the path toward a future that includes offshore wind energy for Oregon.

The Roadmap process is not a formal rulemaking effort and will not directly create or change enforceable laws or policies. Instead, it will help guide future decisions, research, and investment related to offshore wind energy in Oregon. Even as federal priorities for offshore wind energy evolve, Oregon wants to be ready. The Roadmap will help the state:

Prepare for possible offshore wind energy development
Understand community priorities
Improve state policies and processes

The draft Roadmap considers four alternative futures for Oregon and its coast—two include offshore wind turbines, and two do not. The Roadmap defines four pathways to these two futures with different benefits and tradeoffs. For the two futures that include wind energy development, there are “checkpoints” where a project would be reviewed to determine whether it should move forward, gather more information, or a different pathway should be chosen. The Roadmap outlines recommended standards and actions to support the interests of the state and coastal communities related to the different pathways.

Public Comment Period Open

Members of the public are invited to provide comments on the draft Roadmap between February 17 and April 3. Comments may be submitted in a number of ways:

Send an email to dlcd.oswroadmap@dlcd.oregon.gov
Provide feedback by using the DLCD Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap survey
Provide comments at one of DLCD’s virtual or in-person meetings (see below)

Community Meetings for the Roadmap

DLCD is hosting community meetings in coastal communities in February and March to provide information about the Roadmap draft and inviting community members to comment.

These meetings are a chance for the public to:

Learn about the status of offshore wind energy in Oregon
Hear about the contents of the draft Roadmap
Ask questions and provide formal comments

DLCD Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap Community Meetings
Date	Time	Location
February 25	12:30 to 2:00 p.m.	Virtual Public Meeting (Registration Link)
March 3	5:30 to 7:30 p.m.	Newport Yaquina View Elementary School Gym 351 SE Harney St, Newport, OR 97365
March 9	5:30 to 7:30 p.m.	North Bend North Bend Community Center 2222 Broadway Ave, North Bend, OR 97459
March 10	5:30 to 7:30 p.m.	Reedsport Reedsport Community Center Gym 451 Winchester Ave, Reedsport, OR 97467
March 11	5:30 to 7:30 p.m.	Brookings Brookings Harbor High School Gym 625 Pioneer Rd, Brookings, OR 97415
March 18	5:30 to 7:30 p.m.	Astoria Judge Boyington Building 857 Commercial Street, Astoria, OR 97103
March 19	5:30 to 7:00 p.m.	Virtual Public Meeting (Registration Link)

Learn more about the Roadmap on DLCD’s website.

Submit your comments to dlcd.OSWRoadmap@DLCD.oregon.gov.

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Oregon’s statewide land use planning program —originated in 1973 under Senate Bill 100 — protects farm and forest lands, conserves natural resources, promotes livable communities, facilitates orderly and efficient development, helps coordination among local governments, and enables community engagement.

The program affords all Oregonians predictability and sustainability to the development process by ensuring allocation of urban land for industrial, commercial, and housing development. The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) administers the program. A seven-member volunteer citizen board known as the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) guides DLCD.

Under the program, all cities and counties have adopted comprehensive plans that meet mandatory state standards. The standards are 19 Statewide Planning Goals that address land use, development, housing, transportation, and conservation of natural resources. Technical assistance in the form of grants to local jurisdictions is a key element of the program.