Speaker: Julia Bingham (School of Public Policy, Oregon State University), Emily Miller (School of Public Policy, Oregon State University), Lorren Ruscetta (School of Marine Science & Policy, University of Delaware), Hossain Taufiq (School of Public Policy, Oregon State University), Greg Stelmach (School of Public Policy, Oregon State University)

Topic: Community Benefits and Impacts from Offshore Wind Development

Over the last few years, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has explored the possibility of leasing federal waters off the southern Oregon Coast for the construction of up to 3 gigawatts of floating offshore wind. The planned lease auction had been scheduled for October 2024 but was postponed due to lack of competitive interest from developers. While leasing efforts are currently paused at the federal level, state policymakers are actively developing a roadmap for offshore wind development that would clarify the state’s role and priorities, largely driven by contentious responses to development from local community members, commercial fishers, and tribes.

One potential mechanism for addressing public concerns is the negotiation of community benefit arrangements (CBAs). On the East Coast, where offshore wind development is further along, various communities have negotiated CBAs with offshore wind developers that specify the benefits to those affected by development. However, CBAs can encompass a wide range of benefits or community priorities, and the negotiation can be challenging for communities that lack experience with such arrangements.

Our seminar will give a brief overview of the offshore wind planning effort in Oregon, cover the various forms of offshore wind CBAs that have been negotiated around the U.S., and share insights from interviews with both local communities and offshore wind developers on how both sides approach CBAs.