Assemblymember Chris Rogers introduced a bill Thursday that would require the governor to assess funding opportunities for offshore wind seaport infrastructure as part of the state's five-year infrastructure plan.
"Offshore wind has the potential to transform the economy of the North Coast and create access to a new renewable energy source," Rogers said in a statement.
In a plan released by the California Energy Commission last year, two areas off the Mendocino Coast north of Fort Bragg were identified for further screening based on their distance from shore, wind speed, water depth and the slope of the ocean bottom. An analysis by the Point Blue Conservation Science Research Group last year also identified Point Arena as an area with high energy generation potential and lower impacts on marine life and habitats.
Several studies have estimated the job-creating impact of offshore wind. For example, the Natural Resource Defense Council and Environmental Entrepreneurs looked at the possibility of a 10 GW development in the Morro Bay and Humboldt offshore wind areas. That study found the development could create more than 169,000 jobs and more than $45 billion in short-term economic benefits.
However, according to the California Energy Commission, the economic and workforce benefits are expected to come from the construction of ports and to end once the construction is completed. Meanwhile the impact on marine life would potentially affect species ranging from the humpback whale and albatross to habitats such as deep sea rocky reefs, coral and sponge habitats, estuary habitats and eelgrass beds.
Native American tribes have expressed deep concern about the impact of offshore wind development on the ocean, the coast and inland.
