The California Energy Commission (CEC) has unveiled a draft of its AB 525 Offshore Wind Strategic plan.
The Draft California Energy Commission Assembly Bill 525 Offshore Wind Strategic Plan under Assembly Bill 525 (AB 525, Chiu, Chapter 231, Statutes of 2021) is now available for public review and comment.
AB 525 directs the CEC to prepare a strategic plan for offshore wind energy developments in federal waters off the California coast.
It includes assessments and recommendations related to marine resources, sea-space planning, tribal, and fishery relations, permitting, workforce development, port development and transmission.
The CEC expects to announce and host a workshop to provide information and receive feedback on the Draft AB 525 Strategic Plan at a later date.
Molly Croll, Pacific Offshore Wind Director, American Clean Power Association, said the report provides a clear assessment of the value of offshore wind and identifies a number of areas of public policy support needed for the industry to succeed.
She said: “We look forward to partnering with the state to begin the urgent work needed to advance priority transmission planning, central procurement and port funding.”
“We commend the California Energy Commission for leading this tremendous effort that maps out well-researched recommendations on how to develop offshore wind in a timely, sustainable, and uplifting manner.
“We appreciate the CEC’s dedication to our offshore wind target of 25GW by 2045, signalling California’s embrace of offshore wind.”
Alongside the release of the offshore wind report, ACP-CA also supports Governor Gavin Newsom’s appointment of Jana Ganion as Senior Advisor for Offshore Wind, as a “crucial step that underscores the Administration’s commitment to driving an effective, whole-of-government approach to offshore wind implementation”.