Upcoming opportunities for leadership and learning:

• The National Wildlife Federation is Hiring a North Coast Outreach Coordinator, Offshore Wind Energy
  • California North Coast Outreach Coordinator, Offshore Wind Energy
  • The National Wildlife Federation is hiring a year-long full time staff position in the Humboldt area! Here’s the link to the recently posted position.
    • Focus: community outreach, cultivating partnerships, collaborating with and supporting the West Coast Campaign Manager in implementation of priority campaign activities
  • Please spread the word about this position to your networks and with individuals you think would be a good fit. 
  • Contact Julia DeGraw (DegrawJ@nwf.org) with questions
• Humboldt County 2026 Community Health Assessment
  • The survey will gather input from Humboldt County residents and will help community organizations shape resources, programs and services that support residents and their families.

• link to survey
• Open through April 15
• Apply to the California Air Resources Board Assembly Bill 32 Environmental Justice Advisory Committee
  • Deadline to Apply: 5:00 pm; April 21, 2026
  • CARB has opened applications for the 2026–2029 Environmental Justice Advisory Committee, seeking 11 members from across California, especially those representing communities most affected by pollution, to advise on climate policy under AB 32. 
  • Applicants who can apply include current EJAC members, community-based organizations, California Native American Tribes, industry-related or sustainable transportation and freight organizations, labor market and workforce representatives, non-profit organizations, and education/government entities from regions across California.
  • Application form

Recent Events and updates:

• The California Ocean Protection Council has released a Draft Blueprint for the West Coast Science Collaborative (WCSC) to support environmentally responsible offshore wind development through objective scientific expertise, cross-sector collaboration, and public information sharing.
  • Comments on the draft blueprint are due by 11:59pm, Weds April  1, 2026.
  • Find out more about OPC’s work on building a West Coast Science Collaborative
  • Read the Draft Blueprint
  • Submit formal public comment:
    • Public Comment Form on the Draft Blueprint for Building a West Coast Science Collaborative
  • Here is a draft of CORE Hub’s comment letter. Feel free to use it as a template or to pull from when creating your letter. 
• Harbor District Heavy Lift Marine Terminal Update
  • At their March 12, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting (agenda packet), the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District provided an updated timeline for the Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal Project, as follows:

• This means the CEQA process is moving forward with some important milestones. 
  • Resource: CEQA 101: Understanding the California Environmental Quality Act
    • California Native Plant Society
    • An introductory guide explaining the basics of the California Environmental Quality Act; what it is, how it works, and how communities can use it to protect environmental resources and public health.

State and Federal Updates:

Comment Opportunities:

• BOEM Announces Intent to Prepare Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Potential Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing in California
  • Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, February 26, 2026
  • BOEM announced that it will prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to evaluate potential offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Northern, Central, and Southern California planning areas; this is the first formal step under NEPA and opens a public scoping process for input on what environmental issues and alternatives should be analyzed. BOEM does not plan to issue a draft PEIS for public comment and will not hold any public meetings.
  • The deadline to submit public comment is March 30, 2026
  • Submit comments here (federal docket: BOEM-2025-0681)
  • More information and template comment letters have been produced by EPIC and Waterkeeper.
    • The BOEM proposal raises major concerns about risks to marine wildlife, coastal communities, and the climate. 
    • Comments are an important opportunity to assert that the US needs to invest in and transition to renewable energy solutions.
  • 
• BOEM Analyzes Proposed Offshore Well Stimulation Work at Platform Gilda offshore California (ie: hydraulic fracturing (fracking))
  • Public Input Sought on Scope of Environmental Review
  • BOEM, March 17, 2026
  • Comments are due by March 30, 2026 (11:59pm EST) (note: this is fast tracked environmental review with a 10-day open comment period); submit under Docket BOEM-2025-0714,
  • The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a proposed update to the Santa Clara Unit Development and Production Plan, which includes the use of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on 16 existing wells at Platform Gilda, located 8.8 miles offshore Ventura County, California. BOEM has deemed the plan complete and is launching an environmental review under the Department of the Interior’s “Alternative Arrangements for NEPA Compliance During a National Energy Emergency,” published on April 23, 2025. These procedures direct agencies to prepare an EIS within approximately 28 days of publishing the notice of intent.
  • For more information and analysis, see Politico’s article: The California frack off (3/24/26)

Other Updates:

• The U.S. Department of the Interior reached agreements with TotalEnergies to cancel two major offshore wind leases
  • U.S. Department of the Interior, March 23, 2026
  • The U.S. Department of the Interior announced an agreement with TotalEnergies that effectively ends the company’s participation in U.S. offshore wind and redirects its capital into American oil and natural gas projects.
  • TotalEnergies will invest about $1 billion, the amount it previously paid for two offshore wind leases, into U.S. oil, natural gas, and LNG projects.
  • After TotalEnergies completes these investments, the U.S. government will reimburse the company dollar‑for‑dollar, up to the original lease payments. The company has also agreed not to pursue any new offshore wind development in the United States.
  • Reporting:
    • French company stops US offshore wind projects in $1B deal with Trump administration
      • ABC news, March 23, 2026
    • Trump administration to pay French company $1B to walk away from US offshore wind leases
      • KCRA, March 23, 2026
    • Trump Administration to Pay $1 Billion to Energy Giant to Cancel Wind Farms
      • New York Times, March 23, 2026
• Governor Newsom announces appointments
  • Office of the Governor, February 20, 2026
  • Ryan Young, of Oakland, has been appointed Public Advisor at the California Energy Commission. Young has been Deputy Public Advisor at the California Energy Commission since 2024.
  • Molli Myers, of Weitchpec, has been appointed to the North Coast Water Quality Control Board.  Myers has been the Chief Operating Officer for the Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group since 2022. 
• Jana Ganion is now the Chief of Staff for California Energy Commissioner Nancy Skinner, who acts as the lead Commissioner for clean transportation, ports, and industrial decarbonization.
• SB 1221 Neighborhood Decarbonization Program Design Upcoming Information Sessions and Program
  • California Public Utilities Commission Information 
  • SB 1221 (Min 2024) is a decarbonization pilot program to replace natural gas pipelines with zero-emission alternatives in neighborhoods. 
  • The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) asked utilities to identify natural gas pipelines being replaced over the next 10 years. These areas might be a good fit for the program because pipelines are already going to be replaced and would be more cost-effective. Eureka and Arcata neighborhoods were identified.
  • Senate Bill 1221 directs gas utilities to provide detailed gas distribution system maps and participate in planning for “priority neighborhood decarbonization zones.” Upcoming Spring 2026 meetings will help utilities, local governments, and community stakeholders understand how SB 1221 will be implemented, what data utilities must submit, how potential decarbonization zones will be evaluated, and how the CPUC will coordinate future pilot projects aimed at transitioning select neighborhoods from gas infrastructure to zero‑emission alternatives such as electrification
• California Legislation that may be of interest:
  • AB 1761 (Rogers, D)  Electricity: calculation methodology: data disclosure.
    • Introduced: 02/09/2026; Status: In the Appropriations Committee; amended 3/19/26; supported by Redwood Coast Energy Authority and 350 Humboldt
    • Summary: This bill is focused on data transparency on how our energy rates are calculated. Current law authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to fix the rates and charges for every public utility and requires that those rates and charges be just and reasonable. This bill would require the CPUC to ensure that all data relied on in any decision or ruling, or in any proposal or analysis provided by an electrical corporation, the commission’s staff, or any other party, for the determination or application of a calculation methodology for any charge imposed on customers of a load-serving entity to recover the cost of contracts or resources owned by an electrical corporation or any value derived from that calculation is made available to load-serving entities and ratepayer advocates on behalf of customers. The bill would require that data to meet specified requirements, including that it is made through a public disclosure, except for market-sensitive data, as provided. 
  • AB 1777 (Garcia, D) Air pollution: indirect sources.
    • Introduced 2/9/26; Referred to Appropriations Committee on 3/24/26;  supported by 350 Humboldt, EPIC, Earthjustice, NRDC, and many local and state wide public health, environmental justice, and climate advocates.
    • Summary: This bill affirms CA Air Resources Board’s (CARB) authority to adopt regulations to reduce or mitigate emissions from indirect sources of pollution – an authority that also lies with local/regional air pollution control districts and air quality management districts.
    • More Information:
      • California bets on an obscure tool to replace clean air authority revoked by the Trump Administration
        • Cal Matters, March 16, 2026
        • The Trump administration revoked California’s authority to mandate electric vehicles and pulled back federal power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions .
        • Assembly bill 1777 would give California air regulators authority to hold ports, warehouses and railyards accountable for the pollution they draw to nearby communities using a regulatory tool called the indirect source rule. 
  • AB 2111 (Papan, D)  Electricity: transmission planning and transmission facilities.
    • Introduced: 02/18/2026; Amended 3/16/26. Hearing in Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy on 4/08/26 
    • Summary: Updates how California’s energy agencies plan and coordinate new major electricity transmission lines needed to bring new renewable energy projects onto the grid (such as the Humboldt Wind Energy Area). Requires the agencies to incorporate new federal rules (FERC Order 1920‑A) that emphasize planning for long-term uncertainty and adaptability—such as changes in technology, costs, or energy demand. Requires that CPUC’s transmission guidance ensures that CAISO plans for enough transmission to support cost‑effective renewable development, and more diversity and competition by creating interconnection capacity in areas with strong renewable resources.
  • SB 1097 (Wiener, D)  Energy: permit streamlining.
    • Spot bill introduced 2/13/26; Referred to Rules Committee; likely not moving forward as a stand alone, but could be included in another CEQA package or trailer bill later in the year
    • Summary: Current law vests the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (CEC) with exclusive jurisdiction to certify thermal powerplants, as defined. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to streamline the permitting of energy generation, storage, and transmission projects given the increasing cost of energy and the need to quickly electrify to mitigate the impacts of climate change. 
  • SB 1138 (Padilla, D)Load-serving entities: resource adequacy requirements.
    • Introduced 2/18/26; Hearing in Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Communications on 4/7/26.
    • Summary: This would give local electricity providers—including community choice aggregators (CCAs) such as Redwood Coast Energy Authority—more flexibility to meet state reliability rules by allowing them to trade or sell up to 25% of their required capacity to other providers on a short‑term, hourly basis. This is important for local ratepayers as it gives RCEA greater flexibility in responsibly managing energy procurement. 
  • SB 1158 (Stern, D) Energy: reliability planning assessment.
    • Introduced: 02/18/2026; Status: 02/26/2026 – Referred to Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications 
    • Summary:  The bill increases the level of detail and public transparency about how California’s future energy resources are progressing through interconnection, permitting, and construction – including projects in the Redwood Region.

Oregon Updates:

• Oregon Department of Land, Conservation, and Development: Draft Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap Available for Public Review, Public Meetings Scheduled
  • The Oregon Offshore Wind Roadmap is the state’s strategic plan for how Oregon will evaluate, plan, and potentially develop offshore wind energy over the next decade. It outlines goals, timelines, stakeholder processes, environmental considerations, and pathways for decision‑making. 
  • The public may comment from February 17 – April 27, 2026. The Roadmap will be completed by mid-2026 and submitted to the Oregon legislature.The document can be a resource to guide state leadership in how it might move forward with offshore wind legislatively, administratively, and programmatically.
  • Roadmap Document
• Identifying and Prioritizing Offshore Wind Knowledge Gaps for Oregon 
  • Ocean Policy Advisory Council Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee, January 29, 2026
  • A draft scientific report prepared for Oregon’s Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) by its Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), summarizing the current state of offshore wind science for Oregon and identifying the key research gaps the state must address before any offshore wind development moves forward.

Resources, Information and Academic Articles:

• North Coast Offshore Wind Transmission Infrastructure Ratepayer Cost Impact Analysis
  • Schatz Energy Research Center, February 2026
  • The report estimates ratepayer impacts over time associated with developing major new transmission infrastructure, including a substation and two 500kV transmission lines, to enable offshore wind power from the Humboldt Wind Energy Area to reach the broader California electric grid.
  • Findings: Ratepayer impacts of the Humboldt transmission projects are minimal. The projects will result in an average cost of $0.28/MWh or $1.68 per year for the average California household in 2025 dollars over their 50-year lifespan. Costs will peak in 2035 at $0.75/MWh ($4.52/year per household) and decline steadily to $0.03/MWh ($0.18/year per household) by 2083. In extreme state energy scenarios, 
  • The annual cost from building and operating the Humboldt offshore wind transmission infrastructure for the average household would remain under $9. 

In the news:

• Are Higher Energy Prices Here to Stay?
  • New York Times, The Daily Podcast, March 25, 2026
  • Since the war in Iran began, President Trump has communicated that rising energy prices would be temporary. But strikes on natural gas facilities in the Persian Gulf last week have made the prospect of a quick recovery seem less and less likely. Patricia Cohen, the global economics correspondent for The New York Times, explains why the impacts may be felt for years.
• Offshore Wind Is Already Working for Long Island
  • Long Island Herald, March 19, 2026
  • The South Fork Wind project, New York’s first utility‑scale offshore wind farm, is now supplying power to Long Island. Supporters say it helps meet rising electricity demand, offers stable long‑term energy prices, and performs well during winter peaks. They also note that offshore wind avoids land‑use constraints and delays associated with new gas plants.
• EcoNews Report: Transmission Upgrades for Offshore Wind
  • Lost Coast Outpost, March 7, 2026
  • ‘For offshore wind to fight climate change, that power needs to reach the larger statewide grid where it can replace fossil fuel electricity generation. The catch? Humboldt’s current transmission lines are too small to transmit that power out of Humboldt. New transmission infrastructure has been proposed to solve this problem, with the California Independent System Operator selecting Viridon to build new 500kV transmission lines. While this is a big project, new analysis from the Schatz Energy Research Center found that the cost to California ratepayers is low, about $1.68 per year. Tanner Etherton, Awbrey Yost and Jim Zoellick from Schatz join the show to nerd out over transmission infrastructure planning.’
• How climate change is transforming the oceans for whale populations
  • Inside Climate News, March 1, 2026
  • Go behind the scenes with reporter Kiley Bense and oceans correspondent Teresa Tomassoni as they discuss how climate change is transforming the oceans for whale populations.
• Eco News Report: Assemblymember Rogers on this Legislative Session
  • February 28, 2026
  • Assemblymember Chris Rogers joins the EcoNews Report to discuss this year’s legislative session. Asm. Rogers has emerged as an environmental legislator, with bills like year’s AB 263, which established minimum instream flow protections for the Shasta and Scott Rivers. Asm. Rogers joins the show to preview three new and exciting bills:
    • AB 1984 would redefine corporate powers under state law to remove corporation’s ability to spend money on elections. 
    • AB 1699 would remove operational hurdles to prescribed fire and address liability issues with the goal of expanding “good fire.”
    • AB 2494 would reimagine state-owned demonstration forests, changing their management goals from “maximum sustained production” of timber to managing for climate, clean water, wildlife, and more.
• COMMUNITY ENERGY INSIGHTS: EV Myths Busted; Or, What It’s Really Like to Drive Electric in Humboldt
  • Lost Coast Outpost, February 26, 2026
  • The data shows that EVs are far more energy‑efficient than gas cars, producing significantly fewer emissions over their lifetime and converting a much higher share of energy into actual movement. While some models cost more upfront, most drivers save money over time through lower fueling and maintenance costs, especially when charging at home.
  • The average Humboldt driver travels about 30 miles per day, while most new EVs offer 250–300 miles of range. There are now dozens of public chargers across the county. 
• California Wants Millions of Heat Pumps. High Power Bills Might Get in the Way
  • Lost Coast Outpost, February 23, 2026
  • California is pushing heat pumps as a key climate solution, aiming for six million installations by 2030 and tightening building codes, offering rebates, and streamlining permitting to speed adoption. Heat pumps are efficient, all‑electric systems that can both heat and cool homes, and in many parts of the country they already save households money. But California’s unusually high electricity rates, nearly double the national average and rising faster than inflation, make the economics far more complicated. A new Harvard study shows that while coastal regions and areas served by lower‑cost municipal utilities can benefit, many California households face higher monthly bills when switching from natural gas, especially in larger or colder‑climate homes.
• Eco News Report: Trump Administrations rescinds the Endangerment Finding
  • February 21, 2026
  • On February 12th, the Trump Administration rescinded the Obama-era “endangerment finding,” a legal recognition by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that greenhouse gas emissions were harming and would further harm health and human safety. This endangerment finding allowed the EPA to issue regulations under the Clean Air Act on six climate pollutants, including carbon dioxide. To break down what this means, Matt Simmons, Climate Attorney at EPIC, and Scott Grecean, Conservation Director at Friends of the Eel River, join the program.
  • The Trump administration repealed the endangerment finding
    • NBC News, February 12, 2026
  • Trump Administration Erases the Government’s Power to Fight Climate Change
    • New York Times, February 12, 2026
• Newsom appoints a new utilities regulator with a mandate to cut costs
  • Cal Matters, February 19, 2026
  • Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Commissioner John Reynolds as the new president of the California Public Utilities Commission, signaling a push to rein in soaring electricity costs while keeping the state on track for its clean‑energy goals. Reynolds is expected to focus on lowering utility bills, ensuring infrastructure spending aligns with affordability, and improving utility performance as California faces rising heat, wildfire risks, and major grid upgrades. Outgoing president Alice Reynolds will shift to a leadership role at the California Independent System Operator.
• Offshore wind showed up big during the East Coast’s brutal cold
  • Canary Media, February 12, 2026
  • During January 2026’s deep freeze, including Winter Storm Fern, the U.S. ‘s two operating utility‑scale offshore wind farms delivered strong, consistent electricity output that helped stabilize the grid as temperatures plunged and demand spiked. Early performance data shows offshore wind matched the reliability of gas plants and outperformed coal during the crisis.
  • This comes at a time when federal officials are pushing for more fossil‑fuel capacity while simultaneously attempting to block offshore wind expansion — a contradiction highlighted by the technology’s real‑world performance. Industry experts argue the data demonstrates that offshore wind can provide dependable power precisely when the grid needs it most.
• California can meet its clean energy goals with the Port of Humboldt Marine Terminal
  • IndyBay, February 6, 2026
  • California is moving to develop offshore wind as a major clean‑energy source, and Humboldt Bay is emerging as one of the state’s most critical hubs. With two federal offshore wind leases off its coast and state agencies identifying the Port of Humboldt as essential for staging and assembling floating turbines, the region is preparing for a transformative new industry. Local leaders emphasize that the planned Heavy Lift Marine Terminal will not only support offshore wind construction but also bring long‑needed transmission upgrades to a community still dependent on aging fossil‑fuel infrastructure.
• Trump administration uses mascot called ‘Coalie’ 
  • The Guardian, February 3, 2026
  • The Guardian reports that the Trump administration is promoting a new pro–fossil fuel mascot named “Coalie”, a cartoon lump of coal intended to encourage public support for coal, oil, and gas. The initiative is part of a broader effort to rebrand fossil fuels positively, including outreach to children and schools. Critics argue it resembles propaganda and ignores the climate and health harms of fossil fuel use.

Please reach out with your thoughts and questions.

Thank you from the CORE Hub Team!