Federal regulators have finalized two Oregon wind energy areas they hope someday will host floating wind turbines with a combined capacity of up to 2.4 GW.

The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management selected two draft wind energy areas off the coast of southern and central Oregon.

The West Coast’s first offshore wind auction got off to a cautious start, with bids closing at levels far lower than two recent East Coast auctions.

BOEM issued a proposed sale notice for five lease areas off the California coast, setting the stage for the first West Coast wind auction later this year.