State of Affairs
Offshore Wind in Oregon Waters
Ross Tyler’s letter to the Oregon Department of Energy
In summary…
Oregon's Offshore Wind Opportunity: A Strategic Energy Investment
Floating wind technology—adapted from oil and gas platforms—has opened the door for offshore wind on the U.S. West Coast. While California has led the way, Oregon possesses some of the world’s best offshore wind resources.
However, developer interest in Oregon has declined due to several challenges:
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Lack of State Support: Unlike other states, Oregon’s leadership hasn’t championed offshore wind.
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Transmission Bottlenecks: Dependence on BPA, a federally run agency, complicates power delivery.
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Community Concerns: Some coastal residents and tribes oppose development, with misinformation campaigns adding to resistance.
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Economic Uncertainty: Global disruptions and shifting federal priorities have increased investment risks.
Despite these obstacles, offshore wind remains a promising part of Oregon’s energy future—especially with the growing power demands of data centers and AI-driven industries. To ensure energy security and economic benefits stay in-state, Oregon must invest in local power generation. Offshore wind offers clean, scalable, and job-creating energy—funded by private capital, not taxpayers.
Recommended Steps:
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Conduct marine studies to validate data.
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Promote transparency and build trust with communities, tribes, and stakeholders.
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Monitor tech advances to cut costs.
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Support policies that reduce infrastructure expenses (e.g., retooling U.S. shipyards).
A phased rollout—such as developing eight 500 MW wind farms—could deliver 4 GW of capacity while minimizing conflicts with other ocean uses.
Conclusion: Offshore wind is not a gamble but a long-term, strategic investment. Oregon should plan now to benefit later from clean energy, economic growth, and resilience.
Ross Tyler
Offshore Renewable Energy International
Peter Braun Board Member
Peter A. Braun, a dedicated citizen of Bandon, has tirelessly contributed to his community through impactful civic work. Peter served eight years on the Bandon Chamber of Commerce Board and is the past president. He is a founding board member and past president of the Greater Bandon Association. Peter has served ten years on the Bandon City Council and is a past council president. Peter's leadership extends to environmental conservation efforts, where he has played a pivotal role in organizing community clean-up drives and advocating for sustainable practices. He has served as a board chair of Washed Ashore, an organization dedicated to solving the problem of ocean debris. His commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Bandon is evident through his active involvement in local government, where he advocates for policies prioritizing community welfare and prosperity. Peter A. Braun stands as a beacon for positive change in Bandon.