Offshore Wind California

Read the article at the Daily Breeze, “Long Beach port’s ambitious Pier Wind project gets a boost from state," by Donna Littlejohn—October 2, 2024. “A proposed 400-acre terminal to assemble and deploy floating offshore wind turbines received a boost this week when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill allowing the Port of Long Beach, which is pursing the ambitious project, to streamline the design and construction of the plan, known as Pier Wind. Assembly Bill 2235 — authored by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, D-Long Beach — will reduce costs and accelerate the timeline to complete what would be the largest facility of its kind in the United States… It will also help the state meet its goals for renewable energy sources. ‘We now have the ability to plan and build Pier Wind in a way that is smarter, faster and more cost-effective,’ said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero… Pier Wind would allow for staging, storing and assembling some of the world’s largest offshore wind turbines, standing as tall as the Eiffel Tower… If approved, construction of the $4.7 billion project could start as soon as 2027, with the first 200 acres completed in 2031, and the final 200 acres coming online in 2035…”  Read the full story below and at this link. https://lnkd.in/g-HAbZYa #offshorewind #floatingwind #cleanenergy #renewables #climate #offshorewindca #pacificoffshorewindsummit

Read the article at the American Journal of Transportation, “Governor Newsom signs bill to expedite Port of Long Beach’s Pier Wind project”—September 30, 2024. “California Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed a bill allowing the Port of Long Beach to streamline the design and construction of Pier Wind, a proposed 400-acre terminal to facilitate the assembly and deployment of floating offshore wind turbines. Assembly Bill 2235, authored by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, will reduce costs and accelerate the timeline to complete the proposed Pier Wind project, which would be the largest facility of its kind in the United States and would help California meet its goals for renewable energy sources. ‘We now have the ability to plan and build Pier Wind in a way that is smarter, faster and more cost-effective, thanks to Gov. Newsom, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire and Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal guiding this critical legislation to approval,’ said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero… ‘The Pier Wind project presents an exciting opportunity for California to realize its potential as a leader in the U.S. offshore wind market,’ said Chris Hannan, president of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California…” Read the full story below and at this link. https://lnkd.in/gRYUi3Wy #offshorewind #floatingwind #cleanenergy #renewables #climate #offshorewindca #pacificoffshorewindsummit

Read the article at Utility Dive, “Clean energy a ‘big winner’ as Fed cuts interest rates more than expected,” by Diana DiGangi—September 19, 2024. “The Federal Reserve’s Wednesday announcement of an interest rate cut of 0.5%, or fifty basis points, will provide a boost to the developers and sponsors of renewable energy projects, analysts say. ‘High interest rates have had a significant negative impact on the renewable energy sector since the Fed began raising rates,’ said Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group… The beginning of a cutting cycle ‘will jumpstart projects,’ said Mona Dajani, partner and global co-chair of energy, infrastructure and hydrogen at law firm Baker Botts. ‘They’re very sensitive to the cost of capital, particularly for capital-intensive technologies like offshore wind'… ‘I think that as a whole, clean energy is one of the big winners’… DBRS Morningstar Vice President of Project Finance and Infrastructure Kevin Beicke said he thinks that offshore wind development in the U.S. would continue either way thanks to federal and state goals, but ‘lower financing costs will only help in the process,’ and the economics of offshore wind projects under development will improve with rate cuts…” Read the full story below and at this link. https://lnkd.in/d_VdpHgs #offshorewind #floatingwind #cleanenergy #renewables #climate #offshorewindca #pacificoffshorewindsummit

Read the article at POLITICO, “Climate bond measure garners strong support in new poll,” by Alex Nieves— September 19, 2024. “Support for Proposition 4 — the $10 billion climate bond — is climbing with less than two months before polls close in the November election. New polling released Thursday by the Public Policy Institute of California found 65 percent of likely voters back the proposal to fund flood protection and climate resiliency projects. That’s up from 59 percent in PPIC’s July survey, conducted just after the measure cleared the legislature and qualified for the ballot. Why it matters: Prop 4 has among the highest support of the 10 ballot measures voters will weigh on, putting the campaign in a strong position heading into the fall… Prop 4 has a particular pull among Democratic voters, who supported it at 83 percent and ranked it as the ballot measure they are most interested in. Independent voters came in at 64 percent, while just 35 percent of Republicans said they would vote yes. What’s next: The Yes on Prop 4 campaign, which officially launched last month, is expected to start rolling out advertisements in October…” Read the full story below and at this link. https://lnkd.in/gXdTRHMD #offshorewind #floatingwind #cleanenergy #renewables #climate #offshorewindca #pacificoffshorewindsummit

Read the commentary in The Sacramento Bee, “The climate crisis won’t wait for California’s budget to recover. Vote yes on Prop. 4,” by Ellie Cohen—September 16, 2024. “Faced with a multi-billion-dollar budget deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers were forced to make some tough decisions this year. As a result, they’re cutting more than $9 billion from climate solutions across California, walking back investments in everything from sustainable agriculture to clean drinking water, wildfire preparedness and renewable energy. Unfortunately, for Californians, the climate crisis won’t wait for our state budget to recover. That’s why it’s critical that we pass Proposition 4, the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, this November. Prop. 4 is a $10 billion bond to invest in clean air and water, solutions to extreme heat, wildfire readiness, climate-friendly agriculture and more. It may be the best chance California has in the next few years to make sorely needed investments in proven climate solutions… California has a reputation for climate leadership and some of the most ambitious goals in the world... But our intentions mean little without investment to back them up... To make that happen, we need Prop. 4…” Read the full column below and at this link. https://lnkd.in/gznezsf3 #offshorewind #floatingwind #cleanenergy #renewables #climate #offshorewindca #pacificoffshorewindsummit

Read the article in The Sacramento Bee, “Prop. 4 explained: What would California do with a $10B climate cash infusion?,” by Ari Plachta—September 16, 2024. “Approving Proposition 4 on Californians’ ballots would authorize $10 billion in debt for the state to spend on environmental and climate priorities. The money would be spent on drinking water improvements, flood and drought protection, wildfire and extreme heat projects and clean energy among other issues… Environmental groups and renewable energy advocates pushed hard for increased spending on climate and environment issues following recent budget cuts… If a majority of voters approve Prop. 4 in November, they would authorize $10 billion in state borrowing to spend on climate and environment projects… The largest chunk would be for water projects such as drinking water and urban recycling... More specifically, here’s where the money will go… Clean air programs, $850 million: Offshore wind power generation, electricity transmission and long-duration battery storage projects… Supporters include dozens of environmental groups such as Clean Water Action and the National Wildlife Federation…” Read the full story below and at this link. https://lnkd.in/gZVXAWhw #offshorewind #floatingwind #cleanenergy #renewables #climate #offshorewindca #pacificoffshorewindsummit

Read the article at the San Luis Obispo Tribune, “SLO County ordered another study of potential offshore wind port sites. Where could it be?,” by Chloe Shrager—September 12, 2024. “Two separate studies have now been ordered to determine the potential for building an offshore wind port on the Central Coast, with the second and most recent one coming from San Luis Obispo County. On Tuesday, the SLO County Board of Supervisors approved $1 million in grant funds for the Mott MacDonald consulting group to prepare a study considering three different locations for an offshore wind operations and maintenance port: Port San Luis, the Cal Poly Pier and Morro Bay. The terminal would serve as a support hub for the offshore wind turbines in the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area and serve as a place for maintenance and service operation vessels to restock supplies and change crew members between two-week trips, said County Planning and Building Department Division manager Susan Strachan... It would also include warehouses, offices and storage yards, but these structures do not need to be located directly next to the coast, she said. The county’s vote follows another recently approved study ordered by the Port San Luis Harbor District in collaboration with port project developer Clean Energy Terminals to evaluate the potential for building a port near Avila Beach…”  Read the full story below and at this link. https://lnkd.in/eQwNfQ-x #offshorewind #floatingwind #cleanenergy #renewables #climate #offshorewindca #pacificoffshorewindsummit

Read the commentary at CalMatters, “Climate costs will only go up if California fails to act. Voters should back a $10 billion bond,” by Horacio Amezquita—September 10, 2024. “High on the list of things most Californians take for granted is the ability to confidently drink water that comes from their kitchen taps, or to safely bathe in water from their bathroom faucets… Given the rising threats to our water supply caused by a changing climate, all Californians should be very concerned. This is the time to invest in proven solutions… California voters can authorize such an investment this fall by approving Proposition 4, a $10 billion bond measure with a principal focus of improving the amount and quality of drinking water… We have the ability to make their lives better, and to address the climate effects that threaten our clean drinking water supplies and our ability to breathe clean air.  It will take resources, political will and a resolve to act before things get worse. Now is the time to unleash all those tools. The fight for clean air and water is one we can’t afford to lose.” Read the full column below and at this link. https://lnkd.in/gKFHDV-X #offshorewind #floatingwind #cleanenergy #renewables #climate #offshorewindca #pacificoffshorewindsummit

Read the commentary at Capitol Weekly, “Getting offshore wind right means investing in science,” by Dr. Arne Jacobson and Dr. Ben Ruttenberg—September 9, 2024. “With a recent vote by the California Public Utilities Commission to authorize purchase of up to 7.6 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, California is increasingly committed to a plan to pursue renewable energy offshore. The success of this endeavor hinges on a robust scientific understanding of the technology’s potential impacts… Science, when done properly, can be a powerful platform for communities to come together in shared understanding, fostering informed discussion and decision-making… Well-executed scientific research can help predict what effects offshore wind developments may have on marine species and ecosystems, and, importantly, provide a roadmap for monitoring and mitigation to better understand and minimize these effects… One progressive step in this direction is the newly formed Pacific Offshore Wind Consortium… Doing offshore wind right requires thoughtful, public-private investment in science.” Read the full column below and at this link. https://lnkd.in/gB8VNX3s #offshorewind #floatingwind #cleanenergy #renewables #climate #offshorewindca #pacificoffshorewindsummit

Read the article in the San Luis Obispo Tribune, “This SLO County beach town is considering an offshore wind port. What could it look like?,” by Stephanie Zappelli—September 9, 2024. “The sleepy, seaside town of Avila Beach used to be a bustling seaport — exporting oil from the Central Valley to the rest of the world. Now, the energy industry could soon return to the scenic seashore. The Port San Luis Harbor District will collaborate with Ventura-based company Clean Energy Terminals to study the potential of building an offshore wind port in San Luis Obispo Bay. The study will evaluate if the bay could accommodate an operations and maintenance port, which would serve as a hub for monitoring the offshore wind farm in the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area and offer a place for maintenance vessels to dock, Port San Luis Harbor Director Suzy Watkins said... Clean Energy Terminals has not yet proposed an official design for the port, but the company does have ideas for how the facility may look and operate, company CEO Brian Sabina said… This port would be much smaller than the one sketched in a study developed by REACH Central Coast in 2022. That study evaluated the potential for building a staging and integration port in San Luis Obispo Bay. Ports that large are now being considered for Long Beach or Humboldt but would not be built on the Central Coast…” Read the full story below and at this link. https://lnkd.in/gf4A3sJi #offshorewind #floatingwind #cleanenergy #renewables #climate #offshorewindca #pacificoffshorewindsummit