Newsom and Interior Department Announce Offshore Wind Plan
Effort Broadens California’s Clean Energy Potential to Meet Climate Goals
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom and the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today announced plans to advance offshore wind development in ocean waters off of California’s coast to address the state’s need for clean energy. The designation of the state’s first Wind Energy Areas in waters offshore Morro Bay and Humboldt County is the next step in the leasing process to open federal waters for offshore wind development. Newsom’s proposed $20 million state budget allocation to support interagency planning, environmental review, and port upgrades is a key complement to the BOEM announcement.
Following is a statement from Sandy Aylesworth, Senior Oceans Advocate for NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council).
“Offshore wind can provide clean energy to millions of Californians while helping to combat climate change and could be a key component to California meeting its zero-carbon goals by 2045. It’s important to develop this exciting new industry and protect the health of our valuable ocean resources. Governor Newsom’s proposed funding will jump start a solid process for responsible development, like what’s called for in AB 525.”
More Information on Offshore Wind in California:
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.