(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
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DLCD Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap Community Meetings |
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Date |
Time |
Location |
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February 25 |
12:30 to 2:00 p.m. |
Virtual Public Meeting (Registration Link) |
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March 3 |
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. |
Newport |
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March 9 |
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. |
North Bend |
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March 10 |
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. |
Reedsport |
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March 11 |
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. |
Brookings |
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March 18 |
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. |
Astoria |
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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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