OCEAN
Winds
FAQ
(video)
(video)
Isn't Offshore Wind Energy (OSWE) a New and Unproven Technology?
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Mostly No:
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OSWE technology has roots in the oil and gas industry.
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The first offshore oil platform was built in 1938 off the coast of Louisiana.
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Offshore oil and gas platforms have been in the North Sea for nearly fifty years, an area known for severe storms and high waves.
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Fixed offshore wind turbines started in the North Sea in 1991.
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Floating wind turbines were introduced in 2009.
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The technology has rapidly evolved and is now adaptable to various site-specific conditions.
Isn't the Ocean Depth off Oregon's Coast Too Deep for Offshore Wind Energy (OSWE)?
No:
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While depths of 600-1200 feet off Oregon's coast are deeper than the industry average, they are manageable.
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The deepest floating offshore rig is in the Gulf of Mexico at 8,040 feet and operates under hurricane conditions.
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More research will be conducted to address the specific conditions off Oregon's coast.
Won't the Steel Used for Cabling and Turbine Construction Rust in Ocean Conditions?
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No, and Yes:
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Cabling: Copper or Aluminum wire is covered with non-toxic composite materials that don't rust.
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Platforms Come in various forms, including floating cement. Steel platforms, on the other hand, are designed for durability and require regular maintenance, similar to buoys and ships, creating jobs.
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Nacelle and Turbine Blades: They are made of composite materials and don't rust.
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Research: The best platform type for this area is still being studied.
Turbine blades (and nacelles) cannot be recycled.
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No Longer True:
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Initially, this was true due to rapid development.
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Now, research, especially in Denmark, has made it possible to break down blades into component parts and reuse them.
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Some recycled blades are even repurposed into playground equipment.
Can anchoring cables drilled into the ocean floor cause earthquakes?
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No:
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There is no known instance of this happening.
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Drilling for anchoring is not as deep as fracking, which has caused minor seismic events due to oil removal.
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Most cables are attached to large cement anchors, which can even become new marine habitats.
Won't tsunamis wash wind turbines onto shore?
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No:
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Turbines are placed far out at sea, experiencing only large swells.
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Tsunamis affect areas closer to shore where the water depth decreases sharply.
Won't Offshore Wind Energy (OSWE) be harmful to birds?
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Yes and No:
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Land-based wind turbines have caused bird deaths, but the overall impact on bird populations is low.
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Cats and buildings cause most bird and bat deaths.
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Fracking activities have higher bird kill rates (15-25%).
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Wind energy reduces the need for fracking, which helps bird populations.
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Offshore turbine blades are larger and turn more slowly, reducing risks.
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New technology and warning devices are being installed to protect birds.
Won't the turbines block or ruin our views in Coos and other affected counties?
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Essentially, No:
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No wind turbines will be in Coos County.
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One site is off Curry County, at least 18 miles offshore.
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Another site is off Douglas and Lane counties, at least 32 miles offshore.
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Turbines are only visible with high-powered binoculars, except at night in clear conditions when some lights may be seen.
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Larger turbines mean fewer units needed.
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Wind turbines have a smaller profile and less environmental impact than offshore oil or gas rigs.
Could OSWE have disastrous unintended consequences like hydroelectric energy?
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No:
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When hydroelectric energy was developed, environmental awareness was limited.
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Today, we have decades of research and growing knowledge.
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AI technology is emerging to help avoid unintended consequences.
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OSWE installations have a 20-year shelf life, after which leases are renegotiated or terminated.
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Leases can require companies to dismantle and remove turbines if not renewed, providing an additional safeguard.
Isn't OSWE inefficient as an energy source?
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No:
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OSWE is more efficient than onshore wind because offshore wind speeds are stronger and more consistent.
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It avoids land-based topographical issues and can be built larger, generating more energy with fewer units.
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Companies stay in business by being efficient and offering competitively priced products.
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Prices are expected to drop as the industry grows.
Aren't OSW turbines high maintenance?
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Yes and No:
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Compared to solar, yes, they are higher maintenance.
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Compared to offshore oil and gas platforms, no, they are lower maintenance.
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Sea maintenance is inherently higher, but this cost is factored in by companies.
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Higher maintenance means more jobs and training, which are technical and high-paying.
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Additional jobs come with the support and supply line infrastructure needed.
Won't OSWE turbines and transmission lines harm marine life, including whales?
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Yes/No/Unknown:
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Existing facilities in Europe and the East Coast have answered many questions.
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Specific data for our conditions is not fully known yet, which is why a five-year research period is planned.
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Studies so far show no harm to whales and some changes to marine life; some fish are attracted or repelled by transmission cables. Cable design and electrical current type can mitigate this.
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New habitats can be created, but more study is needed to understand the benefits.
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Some new platform designs allow marine life to pass through.
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Ongoing questions and public engagement are necessary.
Won't OSWE disturb the wind-driven upwelling critical to our marine environment?
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Not fully known:
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Initial California studies show a 10% increase in upwelling on the ocean side and a 10% decrease on the shore side.
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If OSWE proceeds after the five-year research and two-year review periods, it will affect only about 1% of offshore waters during the initial twenty-year deployment period.
Is OSWE a "done deal" and coming whether we like it or not?
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No:
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Only two sites have been identified as potential locations for offshore wind turbines.
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These sites would occupy about 1% of offshore waters.
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No final decisions have been made because the necessary research has not yet been completed.
Who does the research and what is involved?
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The Wind Energy corporations that buy the leases from the federal government are responsible for the research.
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They must determine if wind turbines and transmission lines will work in the identified areas and adjacent sites.
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Research includes studying effects on fisheries, marine life, and habitats.
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This research period lasts about five years.
What happens at the end of the five-year research period?
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The corporate lease holder decides whether to proceed or not.
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If NO, the company absorbs the costs and walks away, but the research data becomes public, which is very valuable.
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If YES, there is a two-year review period by multiple Federal and State agencies.
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The review covers environmental and impact data, as well as the best-suited technology for the sites.
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Comprehensive reviews and environmental impact statements require identifying the technology, which depends on thorough environmental research.
Are the reviews by Federal and State agencies sufficient?
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Oregon state agencies appear to have sufficient reviews based on current data.
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BOEM's reviews seem too narrow, focusing only on specific wind energy sites without an overall Pacific Coast assessment.
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BOEM is a newer agency for this scope, and their track record is currently unknown.
Why are fisheries, tribes, and other groups objecting to OSWE so much?
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BOEM should have started with community education, especially with tribes and fisheries.
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BOEM came into their areas without a proper introduction.
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The OSWE process, including the five-year research period after lease auctions, wasn't well explained.
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People wanted more time and research, which is already part of the process but needed to be clearly communicated.
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Definitive claims about harm, disruption, and lost jobs should be made later because the research still needs to be done.
What are Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs)?
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Legally Binding Contract: Signed by project developers and community groups.
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Economic Empowerment: Supports job development, new infrastructure, local facilities, and environmental protections.
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Mutually Beneficial: Aims to provide positive outcomes for both community members and developers.
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Community Voice: Allows community groups to shape the project, request tailored benefits, and ensure developer promises are kept.
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Support for Projects: In exchange for benefits, communities agree to support the project.
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Enforcement: Includes conditions and details for tracking implementation and ensuring compliance.
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Community benefits can be structured in many ways, but three of the most common structures are:
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Formal community benefit agreements (CBAs) signed by developers and local governments, tribal governments, and/or community organizations
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Community benefit funds established by developers
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Direct investment in local priorities or programs.
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Other ways that community benefits may vary include:
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Amount of financial investment
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Methods of distributing funds (i.e., awarded in grants by developer, paid directly to local government)
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Timelines for distributing funds (i.e., one-time payment, annual payments over project lifetime, before and/or after operations begin, tied to project development milestones)
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Stakeholders who are party to agreements or receive funds (i.e., local governments, organizations, schools).
Community benefits may include nonfinancial benefits that often reflect community values or priorities, such as environmental protection, local economic and workforce development, or education. For example, developers might provide benefits like expanding Internet access in a community, sponsoring community events, building a new school playground, or providing training opportunities for local workers joining the wind energy industry.
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What are the potential ecological benefits of floating offshore wind farms?
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Reduced Land Use Impact: Floating wind farms do not require land, preserving terrestrial habitats and ecosystems. This can be especially beneficial in areas where land use is already intensive or where terrestrial habitats are highly valued or protected.
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Habitat Creation: The structures of floating wind farms can act as artificial reefs, providing new habitats for marine life. The foundations and underwater structures can attract a variety of species, including fish, mollusks, and other marine organisms, potentially increasing local biodiversity.
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Reduced Noise and Disturbance: Compared to traditional offshore wind farms with fixed foundations, floating wind farms may generate less underwater noise during installation because they don't require pile-driving. This can reduce the impact on marine mammals and other sensitive species.
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Avoidance of Sensitive Areas: Floating wind farms can be placed in deeper waters, away from sensitive coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, estuaries, and shallow water habitats. This reduces the risk of damaging these fragile environments.
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Carbon Reduction: By providing a renewable energy source, floating offshore wind farms can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This contributes to mitigating climate change, which poses a significant threat to global ecosystems.
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Potential for Reduced Shipping Traffic Impact: Depending on their location, floating wind farms could reduce the risk of marine traffic-related accidents, such as oil spills, by deterring ships from entering certain areas. This could indirectly protect marine ecosystems.
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Minimal Seabed Disturbance: Since floating turbines are anchored rather than fixed into the seabed, there is minimal disturbance to benthic (seafloor) habitats. This reduces the impact on species that rely on these habitats.
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Potential Fishery Benefits: The areas around wind farms can become de facto marine reserves, where fishing is restricted. This can lead to increased fish populations and provide spillover benefits to nearby fisheries.
While floating offshore wind farms have many potential ecological benefits, it is also essential to consider potential negative impacts, such as collision risks for birds and bats, and the displacement of marine animals. Careful planning and environmental assessment are crucial to maximize the ecological benefits and minimize the downsides.
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What kind of benefits are other states reaping?
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The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has outlined several benefits for local communities, state and local governments, and ratepayers in the Final Sale Notice (FSN) for the Atlantic Wind Lease Sale 8 (ATLW–8) in the New York Bight:
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Economic Development and Job Creation: The lease stipulations promote the use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs), which can lead to the creation of well-paying jobs and support local economies through increased employment opportunities in the construction and maintenance of offshore wind facilities.
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Revenue Generation: The lease sale and subsequent development of wind energy projects will generate substantial revenue for state and local governments through lease payments, taxes, and other financial mechanisms. This revenue can be used to support public services and infrastructure in local communities.
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Engagement and Protection of Local Interests: BOEM has incorporated provisions for the ongoing engagement and coordination with federally recognized Tribes, ocean users, underserved communities, and other stakeholders. This ensures that local communities and interests are considered and protected throughout the development process.
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Domestic Supply Chain and Infrastructure Investment: The stipulations encourage the development of a domestic supply chain for offshore wind, which can lead to further economic benefits for local businesses and industries involved in manufacturing, logistics, and other supporting services.
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Ratepayer Benefits: By advancing offshore wind energy, the lease sale contributes to diversifying the energy mix, which can stabilize or reduce energy costs for ratepayers over time. This also aligns with broader state goals for renewable energy adoption and carbon reduction.
These benefits collectively aim to foster economic growth, protect local interests, and contribute to sustainable energy development, making the lease sale a positive move for the involved communities and stakeholders.
​What is the Oregon Road Map - House Bill 4080?
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House Bill 4080 outlines Oregon’s policy on offshore wind energy and aims to establish a clear roadmap for developing this clean energy source. Here’s a simplified breakdown:
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State Support for Offshore Wind Development: The bill declares that Oregon supports ongoing collaboration between offshore wind developers and key local entities, such as:
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The Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board
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The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay
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The Port of Brookings Harbor
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The Port of Newport
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Communities and tribes impacted by wind energy projects
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Offshore Wind Roadmap: The State Department of Energy will create an "Offshore Wind Roadmap" to guide the development of offshore wind energy. This roadmap will:
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Ensure effective engagement with stakeholders
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Support local coastal communities and economies
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Create a trained, equitable workforce
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Protect tribal interests, cultural resources, and the environment
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Align with Oregon’s energy goals
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Labor and Supply Chain Standards: The bill ensures that offshore wind developers and contractors follow strong labor practices. This includes:
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Using apprenticeship programs for workforce training
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Recruiting women, minorities, and veterans, with a goal of 15% of the workforce being from these groups
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Paying fair wages based on living wage standards or applicable collective bargaining agreements
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Using U.S.-produced steel, iron, and materials when possible
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Land Conservation Reviews: The Department of Land Conservation and Development will review and support federal decisions on offshore wind energy projects to ensure they align with Oregon’s interests.
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Reporting and Future Planning: The department will submit a report on their activities by September 1, 2025, with recommendations for future legislation.
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Emergency Clause: The bill declares an emergency, making it effective immediately upon passage.
This bill aims to develop Oregon’s offshore wind energy sector responsibly while promoting local jobs, supporting coastal economies, and protecting the environment.
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