Guice Offshore is advising our offshore wind energy provider clients and other interested parties that the U.S. House Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources has scheduled a field hearing in Morro Bay, California on Thurs., Sept. 8, 2022 at 10 a.m. (Pacific Time) entitled “Power in the Pacific: Unlocking Offshore Wind Energy for the American West.”
Meeting documents will be updated to this page as they are posted on the Subcommittee web page here.
To watch a livestream (and later replay) of the Sept. 8 hearing, click here.
Guice Offshore (GO) works with offshore wind companies coast to coast.
“Our growing fleet of Jones Act-compliant, dynamically positioned offshore supply vessels, mini supply vessels and platform vessels is well positioned to help meet our nation’s wind energy infrastructure installation and service goal deadlines, whether it’s crew transfer, service, cable laying, subsea work like scour protection or equipment transportation,” noted Guice Offshore Vice President of Sales and Marketing David Scheyd.
In advance of the Sept. 8 hearing, an update on California offshore wind developments is below.
- For detailed documentation on Oregon offshore wind from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, click here.
California Offshore Wind–Where Are We Now?
New goals of up to 5,000 MW by 2030 and 25,000 MW by 2045 will accelerate California’s transition to 100% clean electricity
On Aug. 10, 2022, the California Energy Commission (CEC) adopted a report establishing offshore wind goals and moving the state one step closer to development of the clean energy resource off California’s coast. Preliminary findings in the report set planning goals of 2,000-5,000 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind by 2030 and 25,000 MW by 2045, enough electricity to power 3.75 million initially and 25 million homes by mid-century.
California is home to some of the best offshore wind resources in the country, a power source that can play a major role in helping the state achieve 100 percent clean electricity and carbon neutrality. Offshore wind is a critical clean energy source at night complementing solar energy by providing generation at the end of the day and into the evening as the sun sets.
“These ambitious yet achievable goals are an important signal of how committed California is to bringing the offshore wind industry to our state,” said CEC Chair David Hochschild. “This remarkable resource will generate clean electricity around the clock and help us transition away from fossil fuel-based energy as quickly as possible while ensuring grid reliability.”
The CEC developed the report in coordination with federal, state, and local agencies and stakeholders including Tribal governments, fisheries and other ocean users. It is the first of several products the CEC must prepare to create a strategic plan for offshore wind energy development as required by Assembly Bill 525. It reflects the latest available research on technical potential.
“The success of our state’s climate goals requires all-hands-on deck and we are committed to ongoing consultation with other agencies and those most impacted by the scale-up needed to achieve 100 percent clean electricity,” said CEC Vice Chair Siva Gunda.
CEC staff will next study the economic benefits of offshore wind in relation to seaport investments and workforce development needs. Staff will also create a roadmap to develop a permitting process for offshore wind energy facilities and associated electricity and transmission infrastructure. The entire plan must be submitted to the Legislature by June 2023.
Last year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an agreement opening the West Coast for development for the first time. As a result of the partnership, in May, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released a proposed sale notice for offshore wind leases off the northern and central coasts in areas designated as most suitable for commercial wind energy activities near Humboldt and Morro Bay.
Plans for renovations to prepare for offshore wind activities are already underway at the Port of Humboldt Bay with $10.5 million in funding approved by the CEC earlier this year. Governor Newsom’s 2022–23 budget proposal builds on this effort and proposes an additional $45 million for other needed upgrades at waterfront facilities.
To learn more about California’s offshore wind efforts, visit the CEC’s Offshore Renewable Energy Page.
BOEM Proposed Lease Sale
On May 26, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced proposed auction details and lease terms for offshore wind energy development in the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area and Humboldt Wind Energy Area, located offshore central and northern California, respectively.
The California Proposed Sale Notice (PSN) which included a 60-day public comment period, provided detailed information about potential areas that could be available for leasing, proposed lease provisions and conditions, auction details (e.g., criteria for evaluating competing bids and award procedures), and lease execution. The proposal included up to five lease areas within the two Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) off California for potential commercial wind energy development. The proposed lease areas in the Humboldt and Morro Bay WEAs consist of approximately 373,268 acres (583 square miles) and have the potential to unlock over 4.5 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, powering more than 1.5 million homes and supporting new jobs.
Materials related to this announcement are below.
- Proposed Sale Notice (PSN)
- North Coast (Humboldt) Proposed Leases
- Central Coast (Morro Bay) Proposed Leases
- Overview Map of the California Proposed Lease Areas
- Bidder’s Financial Form
- Bidder’s Financial Form Addendum
- Qualifications Guidelines
- California Proposed Lease Areas Shapefiles
- EFT Payment Instructions
The comment period closed on August 1.
To view comments submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, please go to https://www.regulations.gov/ and enter BOEM-2022-0017 in the search bar. Click on docket Proposed Sale: Pacific Wind Lease Sale 1 for Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf in California. Comments submitted through traditional correspondence will be uploaded to the docket. Feedback received during the comment period is used to inform BOEM’s development of a Final Sale Notice.
2021 Call for Information and Nominations
On May 25, 2021, the Departments of the Interior and Defense and the state of California announced their agreement to advance areas for wind energy development offshore the northern and central coasts of California, enabling a path forward for the Humboldt Call Area and areas within and adjacent to the Morro Bay Call Area.
On July 29, 2021, BOEM published the Morro Bay East and West Extensions – Call for Information and Nominations in the Federal Register, which initiated a 45-day public comment period. BOEM accepted industry nominations and public comments until September 13, 2021.
The Morro Bay Call Area East Extension and the Morro Bay Call Area West Extension offshore on the central California coast consist of approximately 90,025 acres (141 square statute miles).
- Public Comments Received
- Federal Register Notice: Call for Information and Nominations for Morro Bay Extension Areas
- Nominations of Interest
2018 Call for Information and Nominations
On October 19, 2018, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published a Call for Information and Nominations (Call) to obtain nominations from companies interested in commercial wind energy leases within the proposed areas off central and northern California. In addition to nominations, BOEM sought public input on the potential for wind energy development in the Call Areas. This includes site conditions, resources, and multiple uses in close proximity to, or within, the Call Areas that would be relevant to BOEM’s review of any nominations submitted, as well as BOEM’s subsequent decision whether to offer all or part of the Call Areas for commercial wind leasing.
On May 25, 2021, the Departments of the Interior and Defense and the state of California announced their agreement to advance areas for wind energy development offshore the northern and central coasts of California, enabling a path forward for the Humboldt Call Area and areas within and adjacent to the Morro Bay Call Area.
- Public Comments Received
- Federal Register Notice (October 19, 2018)
- Docket Number: 2018-0045
- Nominations of Interest
2018 Call Maps
- Humboldt Call Area
- Humboldt Call Area, NOAA Chart
- Morro Bay and Diablo Canyon Call Areas
- Morro Bay and Diablo Canyon Call Areas, NOAA Chart
GIS/Shape Files for Mapping
On August 18, 2016, BOEM published a Request for Interest in California Offshore Wind in response to an unsolicited lease request.
Simulations of Potential Visual Impacts
California Visual Simulations – In response to stakeholder interest regarding visual impacts from potential future renewable energy development within the California Wind Energy Areas, BOEM undertook a project to develop daytime and nighttime photomontages to simulate what turbines might look like if these lease areas were fully developed.
What’s New in California Offshore Wind Energy?
BOEM California Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force Meeting: The 5th meeting of the BOEM California Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force was held on Friday, June 3rd, 2022. This half-day virtual meeting provided updates on offshore wind energy activities, information and discussion opportunities on the California Proposed Sale Notice, and next steps in the BOEM authorization process. Meeting materials can be viewed from this page: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/california-2022-task-force-meeting-five
Press release: Biden-Harris Administration Proposes First-Ever California Offshore Wind Lease Sale
Press release: BOEM Completes National Environmental Policy Act Review of Offshore Wind Leasing in Northern California
Public Engagement
BOEM continues to coordinate planning for potential offshore renewable energy leasing and development activities through the BOEM California Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force, a partnership of members of state, local and federally-recognized Tribal governments and federal agencies. The task force serves as a forum to: discuss issues and concerns; exchange data and information about biological and physical resources, ocean uses and priorities; and facilitate early and continual dialogue and collaboration opportunities.
- Public Information Meetings and Outreach Efforts
- California Offshore Wind Energy Planning Outreach Summary Report (2018) and Addendum (2021): BOEM and the State of California continue to work together with the public, Tribal governments, and stakeholders to identify and collect relevant data and information on existing ocean resources and uses to inform decision-making for offshore wind leasing off California.
Environmental Studies
BOEM has funded or considered numerous studies to collect information about the marine environment to support decisions concerning offshore renewable energy development. For more information, please visit https://www.boem.gov/environment/environmental-studies-pacific.
Sign Up for California Offshore Wind Updates!
California Offshore Wind Gateway
Sign Up for News and Updates BOEM California Offshore Renewable Energy
Sign Up for News and Updates California Energy Commission Offshore Renewable Energy
California Offshore Wind Resources from the BOEM
- A Citizen’s Guide to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Renewable Energy Authorization Process
- National Environmental Policy Act Citizen’s Guide
- Fact Sheet: BOEM Renewable Energy Program
- Fact Sheet: BOEM Leasing Process
- Fact Sheet: California Offshore Renewable Energy, BOEM California Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force
- Journal Energies published the article “Resource and Load Compatibility Assessment of Wind Energy Offshore of Humboldt County, California“. The article, based on a BOEM-funded study, describes the offshore wind generation profile in the Humboldt Call Area and the compatibility with Humboldt County electric load. The article is free to download. (October 31, 2020)
- Offshore Wind Research Buoys Float into California’s Waters (October 9, 2020)
- Northern California Offshore Wind Generation and Load Compatibility Assessment with Emphasis on Electricity Grid Constraints, Mitigation Measures and Associated Costs (September 14, 2020)
- California Energy Commission Notice of Availability of Outreach on Additional Considerations for Offshore Wind Energy off the Central Coast of CA (May 7, 2020)
- BOEM-State of California Programmatic Agreement – Regarding Review of OCS Renewable Energy Activities Offshore California under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (January 2020)
California related news releases and Notes to Stakeholders can be found in the BOEM Newsroom. In the search bar, type the name of the state and/or select year of announcement.
Witnesses and Linked Testimony For the Sept. 8 U.S. House Natural Resources Energy and Mineral Resources Morro Bay California Pacific Offshore Wind Field Hearing entitled “Power in the Pacific: Unlocking Offshore Wind Energy for the American West.”
Witness List
Panel I
Mr. Doug Boren (testimony)
Pacific Regional Director
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management U.S. Department of the Interior
Mr. Ronald Tickle (testimony)
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Real Property
U.S. Department of Defense
Panel II
Ms. Kourtney Vaccaro (testimony)
Lead Commissioner for Offshore Wind
California Energy Commission
Ms. Violet Sage (testimony)
Chairwoman
Northern Chumash Tribal Council
Ms. Dawn Ortiz-Legg (testimony)
Supervisor, District 3
San Luis Obispo County
Mr. Jordan Cunningham (testimony)
Assemblyman,
35th District State of California
Panel III
Mr. Matthew Arms (testimony)
Director of Environmental Planning
Port of Long Beach
Mr. Jeremiah O’Brien (testimony)
Vice President
Morro Bay Commercial Fisherman’s Organization
Mr. Josh Boswell (testimony)
Vice President, Policy and Economic Development
REACH Central Coast
Ms. Debbie Arnold (testimony)
Supervisor, District 5
San Luis Obispo County
Panel IV
Mr. Adam Stern (testimony)
Executive Director
Offshore Wind California
Mr. Eddie Ahn (testimony)
Executive Director
Brightline Defense
Mr. Mark Simonin (testimony)
Business Manager
IBEW Local 639
Mr. Aaron Bergh (testimony)
Founder of Calwise Spirits Co. &
President of The Distillers of San Luis Obispo County
Video Replay
