California Governor Gavin Newsom (pictured) has set a target at least 20GW of offshore wind by 2045.
Newson said this would be done through establishing a planning goal through the California Energy Commission.
The US 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, in May.
Its Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is currently inviting prospective bids for five lease areas at these locations, with the combined potential to generate 4.5GW.
In a letter to the Chair of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Newsom also called for the state to ensure that the 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan provides a path to achieve both the 2030 climate goal and state carbon neutrality no later than 2045.
The letter, sent on Friday, requested that the final plan incorporate new efforts to advance offshore wind, clean fuels, climate-friendly homes, carbon removal and addressing methane leaks.
Newsom said he wants California to move faster to reach its climate goals, setting ambitious new targets for renewable energy, clean buildings, carbon removal, and clean fuels in the transportation sector.
The Governor’s accelerated climate plan reinforces California’s leadership in addressing climate change, and will move the state faster toward carbon neutrality, he added.
Last month, Newsom signed a state budget that will make it easier to bring clean energy projects online, speeding up the environmental review process of new clean energy projects.
Newsom said: “California communities experience the devastating impacts of climate change every day.
“We need to supercharge our efforts to significantly reduce harmful carbon pollution.
“The state’s draft carbon neutrality road map doesn’t go far enough or fast enough.
“That’s why I’m pushing state agencies to adopt more aggressive actions, from offshore wind to climate-friendly homes, and to make sure we never build another fossil fuel power plant in California again.”
The California Air Resources Board will meet in the fall to consider adopting a final draft of the 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan.