The US Department of the Interior has the set the date of the first-ever wind lease sale off the coast of Oregon, with the two areas to be auctioned on 15 October, 2024, by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
It is estimated the two tracts off Coos Bay (pictured left) and Brookings (right) could generate more than 3.1GW of energy if fully developed, powering approximately one million homes.
“Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, the Interior Department has worked diligently to support the undeniable enthusiasm for a clean energy transition that will help address the climate crisis and create good-paying, family-sustaining jobs in every corner of America,” said Secretary Deb Haaland.
“The advancement of the first offshore wind sale in Oregon marks years of engagement with state partners, tribes, ocean users and industry, and the Administration’s commitment to building a thriving and sustainable clean energy industry.”
BOEM director Elizabeth Klein added: “Today’s announcement reflects the tireless work of so many people throughout Oregon and Pacific Northwest.
“By working together, we will unlock a future where clean energy and shared prosperity go hand in hand, combating climate change while creating opportunities for all.”
The Final Sale Notice (FSN) is the last step before the sale itself in the competitive lease award process. It includes details regarding certain provisions and conditions of the leases, auction details, the lease form, criteria for evaluating competing bids, award procedures, appeal procedures, and lease execution.
The FSN, which will publish in the Federal Register on September 3, 2024, includes two areas offshore Oregon. Lease Area P-OCS 0566 (Coos Bay) consists of 61,203 acres and is approximately 32 miles from shore. Lease Area P-OCS 0567 (Brookings) consists of 133,792 acres and is around 18 miles from shore.
The FSN includes several lease stipulations designed to promote the development of a robust domestic US supply chain for floating wind, advance flexibility in transmission planning, and create good-paying union jobs.
BOEM will offer bidding credits for bidders who enter into community benefit agreements or invest in workforce training or supply chain development; require winning bidders to make efforts to enter into project labour agreements; and require engagement with tribes, underserved communities, ocean users, and others.
Eighteen lease conditions were added to address requirements from the State of Oregon’s concurrence with BOEM’s Federal Consistency Determination.
The issuance of any lease resulting from this sale would not constitute an approval of project-specific plans to develop offshore wind energy. Such plans, if submitted, would be subject to subsequent environmental, technical, and public reviews prior to a decision on whether the proposed development should be authorized.
BOEM said it will continue to work through its Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force, which includes representatives from federal, state and local agencies and tribal governments, to coordinate on potential leasing and support ongoing stakeholder engagement processes on broader offshore wind considerations – for example, state-led development of a strategic roadmap on offshore wind, which can help inform the multi-year process for proposed projects.