BOEM designates wind energy areas off the Oregon coast
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) officially designated two new Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) off the coast of Oregon.
The WEAs — developed following extensive engagement and feedback from stakeholders — are based on reducing potential conflicts of ocean users, particularly on commercial fishing. Toward that end, the WEAs avoid 98 percent of the areas recommended for exclusion due to their importance as commercial fishing grounds.
The two areas total approximately 195,012 acres. They include the Coos Bay WEA, which is 61,204 acres and is located 32 miles from shore, and the Brookings WEA, which is 133,808 acres and is about 18 miles from shore.
“BOEM values its close coordination with the State of Oregon as we continue to work together to maintain a robust and transparent offshore wind planning process,” BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein said. “We will continue to work closely with Tribal governments, federal and state government agencies, ocean users, coastal communities and all interested stakeholders as we move forward with our environmental review.”
In addition to engaging with the State, Tribes, coastal communities, and ocean users, BOEM partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) to assess opportunities for wind energy development in Oregon.
On Feb. 14, BOEM published a notice in the Federal Register announcing its intent to prepare an environmental assessment of potential impacts from offshore wind leasing in the WEAs. The notice will initiate a 30-day public comment period.
On Aug.15, 2023, BOEM identified two draft WEAs located offshore southern Oregon. The draft WEAs covered approximately 219,568 acres, with their closest points to land ranging from approximately 18 – 32 miles.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of the Interior has approved the nation’s first six commercial-scale offshore wind energy projects. BOEM has held four offshore wind lease auctions, which have brought in almost $5.5 billion in high bids, including a record-breaking sale offshore New York and New Jersey and the first-ever sales offshore the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts.
BOEM is exploring additional opportunities for offshore wind energy development in the U.S., including in the Gulf of Maine and the U.S. Central Atlantic coast.
