February 14, 2024 2:50 a.m. 

On Tuesday, Governor Tina Kotek issued a statement in response to an announcement from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on their proposed final wind energy areas on the Oregon coast for offshore wind:

Kotek said, “Offshore wind is likely to play an important role in meeting our state’s growing energy demand and goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2040”. Kotek said, “It also presents a significant economic development opportunity for the Oregon coast. As BOEM moves forward with establishing a federal offshore wind leasing process this year, Oregon is committed to developing a robust and transparent state roadmap to inform offshore wind opportunities. This state roadmap will also ensure that coastal communities and Tribal nations are consulted throughout the process, in close coordination with BOEM”.

The release from the Governor’s Office said on Wednesday, BOEM is publishing a notice in the Federal Register announcing its intent to prepare an environmental assessment of potential impacts from offshore wind leasing in the Wind Energy Areas. This notice will initiate a 30-day public comment period. Another public comment period would occur if BOEM decides to move forward with a lease sale in either of the WEA’s.