Oregon Weighs Future of Offshore Wind, Including No Development

State extends public comment period on offshore wind roadmap as opposition grows from coastal communities, tribes, and fishing industry.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:20pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in soft, earthy tones of green, blue, and gray, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the structural order and power of offshore wind energy.As Oregon weighs the future of offshore wind, a conceptual illustration captures the complex forces and community tensions at play.Coos Bay Today

The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development has extended the public comment period on the state's offshore wind energy roadmap, which includes options to abandon offshore wind development entirely or pursue a limited pilot project. The roadmap is part of a multi-year effort to harness offshore wind power, but the plans have faced growing opposition from local communities, tribes, and the fishing industry. State officials say they want to gather more feedback before the roadmap is presented to lawmakers in 2027.

Why it matters

Oregon had set ambitious goals for offshore wind power, aiming to generate enough electricity to power 1 million homes by 2030. However, the plans have stalled due to concerns from coastal residents, Native American tribes, and the fishing industry about the potential impacts on the environment and their livelihoods. The state is now weighing whether to move forward with offshore wind at all, or to pursue a more limited approach.

The details

The roadmap outlines four potential paths forward for offshore wind in Oregon: 1) No offshore wind energy development, 2) Full-scale offshore wind industry, 3) Economic participation only (such as manufacturing or R&D), or 4) A pilot offshore wind project. State officials say they want to gather more public feedback before presenting the roadmap to lawmakers in 2027, who will then use it to inform energy policy proposals.

  • The public comment period was originally set to close on April 3, 2026, but has been extended to April 27, 2026.
  • In 2021, the Oregon Legislature set a goal of powering 1 million homes with offshore wind by 2030.
  • By 2024, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy had identified several potential offshore wind sites off the Oregon coast, but plans to auction off leases were later called off due to growing opposition.

The players

Jeff Burright

Heads up the offshore wind energy work at the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development.

Joe Biden

Former President of the United States who set a goal of building 15 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity along U.S. coasts by 2035.

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States who rescinded all designated Wind Energy Areas identified for possible development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf as part of his opposition to wind power.

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What they’re saying

“The ocean is the commons. It's something that we all have a part in owning. People generally, I think, all feel a connection to it. No matter where they live, people will visit the ocean, have some sense of connection and ownership over what it means to them.”

— Jeff Burright, Head of Offshore Wind Energy Work, Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development

What’s next

The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development will review public comments on the offshore wind roadmap until April 27, 2026, before presenting it to state lawmakers in 2027 to inform future energy policy proposals.

The takeaway

Oregon's pursuit of offshore wind energy has faced significant headwinds from local communities, tribes, and the fishing industry, leading the state to consider abandoning the effort entirely or pursuing a more limited pilot project. The roadmap process aims to gather more public input before the state makes a decision that could have major implications for its renewable energy goals.