Abstract
The development of renewable energy – in particular solar, wind, and associated transmission infrastructure – is expected to accelerate in the coming decades to meet Oregon’s energy and climate goals. Responsible development of these energy resources will require close coordination, and careful consideration must be given to a wide range of factors related to military operations, land use, economic development, natural and cultural resources, and community needs and interests (among others). The Oregon Renewable Energy Siting Assessment (ORESA) project provides a new set of educational resources to explore and better understand renewable energy in Oregon. The project was funded through a $1.1 million U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) grant awarded to the Oregon Department of Energy, working with the Department of Land Conservation and Development and Oregon State University's Institute for Natural Resources.
Project Deliverables: This ORESA Report provides key findings, information about siting processes, and participant feedback that guided the project. It includes critical data, stakeholder perspectives, and analysis reflecting the expertise of federal, tribal, state, and local governments, as well as input from industry, technical advisors, community representatives, and non-governmental organizations. The online Mapping and Reporting Tool includes robust data and queries for military, energy, natural resources, communities, and other important considerations. Users can interact with and browse spatial data, create site-specific reports to support early notification, and review additional information such as regulatory process maps, assessments, and tools that are not reflected in the spatial data.