We hope you are enjoying a cozy transition into fall!
Here is your newsletter on offshore wind and related interests.
Offshore Wind in the 2024 Election
Statewide
- Proposition 4: The Climate Bond
- Authorizes bonds for safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, and protecting communities and natural lands from climate risks
- The full text of Proposition 4 can be found on page 75 of this voter information guide; here is a summary background and analysis.
- Approving Proposition 4 would authorize $10 billion in debt to spend on environmental and climate projects, including:
- $850 million in clean air programs, including
- $475 million for port development to facilitate offshore wind
- $325 million for clean energy transmission
- $50 million for energy storage
- $3.8 billion for safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience programs
- $1.5 billion for wildfire and forest resilience
- $1.2 billion for coastal resilience
- $1.2 billion for biodiversity protection and nature-based climate solution programs
- with the biggest chunk, $1.9 billion, for drinking water improvements. The bond prioritizes lower-income communities, and those most vulnerable to climate change, and requires annual audits.
- $850 million in clean air programs, including
District 2 Assembly Election (currently held by Assemblymember Jim Wood):
- Two candidates are on the ballot:
- Chris Rogers (D) – Sonoma County
- Campaign Website here, which briefly describes climate change and rural economic equity priorities.
- Sebastopol Times article (8/30/24) with a section on how Rogers might balance climate change, renewable energy (including offshore wind), and various environmental issues
- Michael Greer (R) – Del Norte County
- Campaign website here (does not include information about climate or offshore wind)
- Press Democrat article (10/17/24) includes a conversation with Greer on reassessing how renewable energy is part of the solution to addressing climate change.
- Chris Rogers (D) – Sonoma County
- Candidates participated in the League of Women Voters of Humboldt County and KEET-TV Forum held on October 16, 2024. View the forum here.
- Discussion of climate change and offshore wind at minute 17:04
Humboldt County (Harbor District and City Councils adjacent to the Bay)
Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District Election:
- Division 5 Seat: Jack Norton and Will Franklin are candidates looking to replace Commissioner Pat Higgins.
- Lost Coast Outpost article (10/17/24) where each candidate comments on offshore wind and the proposed offshore wind heavy lift marine terminal.
- Jack Norton
- Campaign site (includes position on climate change and the wind terminal)
- Wilfred “Wil” Franklin
- Campaign site (does not include positions on climate change or on the wind terminal)
- Jack Norton
Arcata City Council Election:
- In Arcata, three city council seats are up for election; information in articles and posted audio/visual interviews with candidates didn’t include much discussion of climate, offshore wind or renewable energy; note: we only scanned audio/video interviews with transcripts. However, during KMUD’s 10/24/24 Arcata City Council Candidate forum – candidates discussed curbing the city’s emissions and a bit on climate change at minute 51:32
- Incumbent Stacy Atkins-Salazar
- Campaign site (some mention of climate change; no mention of offshore wind)
- Has taken the Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility’s (RCCER) Climate Pledge
- Incumbent Sarah Schaefer
- Campaign site (briefly mentions addressing climate change and role on Redwood Coast Energy Authority board)
- Has taken the Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility’s (RCCER) Climate Pledge
- Incumbent Alexandra Stillman
- Does not have a campaign site or social media page; includes some campaign activity on personal Facebook page (does not mention climate or offshore wind on that page)
- Gregory Daggett
- Campaign site (mentions addressing climate change in press release page)
- Genevieve Serna
- Campaign site (does not explicitly address climate change; does include information about transportation improvements and housing density)
- Has taken the Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility’s (RCCER) Climate Pledge
- Dana Quillman
- Does not have a campaign site or social media page; her personal Facebook page includes a lot of political information, but not much on her campaign platform – only a link to the KMUD candidate forum she participated in
- Shea Freedomhowler
- Does not have a campaign site or social media page
- Incumbent Stacy Atkins-Salazar
Eureka City Council Election:
- In Eureka, two city council seats are up for election; information in articles and posted audio/visual interviews with candidates didn’t include much discussion of climate, offshore wind or renewable energy; note: we only scanned audio/video interviews with transcripts.
- Ward 2: Incumbent Kati Moulton vs. Kenny Carswell.
- Kati Moulton
- Kati Moulton Campaign Website here (does not include information about climate or offshore wind)
- Kenny Carswell
- Kenny Carswell’s Campaign Website (does not include information about climate or offshore wind)
- Ward 4: Incumbent Scott Bauer vs. Thavisak “Lucky” Syphanthong.
- Scott Bauer
- Scott’s Campaign site here (includes some mention of climate)
- Lost Coast Outpost interview with Councilmember Scott Bauer (9/25/24), which includes discussion of offshore wind
- Has taken the Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility’s (RCCER) Climate Pledge
- Thavisak ‘Lucky’ Syphanthong
- Lucky’s Campaign Page here (does not include information about climate or offshore wind)
- Scott Bauer
Del Norte County:
Crescent City Harbor District Election:
- There are three seats open on the five seat Commission; five candidates are running
- John Evans
- Campaign page (does not include positions on climate or offshore wind)
- A 10/18/24 interview on KFUG Community Radio includes discussion of John’s perspective on offshore wind at minute 30:32
- Devon Morgante
- A 10/18/24 interview on KFUG Community Radio includes discussion of Devon’s perspective on offshore wind at minute 16:42
- Annie Nehmer
- Does not have a campaign site or social media page.
- A 10/18/24 interview on KFUG Community Radio includes discussion of Annie’s perspective on offshore wind at minute 28:03
- Prior to candidacy, was a signatory on the 2021 ‘Fishing Communities’ Letter on Offshore Wind Advancement issued by the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance.
- Dan Schmidt
- Does not have a campaign site or social media page.
- A 10/18/24 interview on KFUG Community Radio includes a discussion of Dan’s perspective on offshore wind at minute 24:29
- Redwood Voice 10/24/24 interview with Dan Schmidt includes a discussion of offshore wind
- Linda Sutter
- Does not have a campaign site or social media page.
- John Evans
Curry County:
Curry County Ballot Measures:
- Measure 8-16 Advisory Question on November Ballot: “Should offshore floating wind turbine development along the Curry County Oregon Coast be stopped?”
- This advisory question seeks to determine if Curry County voters support floating offshore wind turbine development along the southern Oregon Coast. However, the measure would not ensure or stop offshore wind development off the Curry County Coast as the County does not have authority to determine activities in federal waters. It is merely advisory for County Commissioners and other civic leaders. The measure lists 10 concerns related to offshore wind.
- A 8/24/24 article on Wild Rivers Outpost covers the Curry County Commissioners vote to advance the advisory question to the ballot
- Note: Coos County has a similar measure on their ballot.
- This advisory question seeks to determine if Curry County voters support floating offshore wind turbine development along the southern Oregon Coast. However, the measure would not ensure or stop offshore wind development off the Curry County Coast as the County does not have authority to determine activities in federal waters. It is merely advisory for County Commissioners and other civic leaders. The measure lists 10 concerns related to offshore wind.
Upcoming opportunities for funding, leadership, and learning:
- Notice of Floating Offshore Wind Research and Development Portfolio Showcase Webinar (PDF Download)
- Nov 5, 2024, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
- The California Energy Commission (CEC) will host a remote access webinar to provide an overview of current floating offshore wind (FOSW) research and development (R&D) projects funded by the CEC’s Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) Program.
- The International Energy Agency Wind Task 59: Wind energy-environmental Research & Engagement Network (WREN) (formerly Task 34) is hosting a webinar, “Wind Turbine Design and Bats“, on Nov 6, 2024, from 9:00-12:00 pm PST Researchers from the United States will present findings on how turbine size and wake influence bat interactions.
- Tribal Co-Stewardship and Co-Management Webinar Series
- The webinar is Thursday, Nov 7, 2024, at 12:00 pm PST. Register via Zoom here.
- Access recordings and presentations of all the webinars in this First Nations’ series here.
- Learn more about First Nations’ Leveraging Co-Management and Co-Stewardship project.
- Monte Mills, Professor of Law, and Director of the Native American Law Center at the University of Washington School of Law, will illustrate the role of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, known as ISDEAA or Public Law 93-638, in the space of tribal co-stewardship and co-management. The webinar will cover the basics of ISDEAA, the types of agreements authorized by that law, and resources and examples for utilizing those agreements to pursue co-stewardship opportunities with the federal government.
- Department of Energy (DOE) Programs and funding opportunities
- The U.S. DOE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) has announced an Offshore Wind Workforce Readiness program that will award successful applicants offering offshore wind education and training programs that offer apprenticeship readiness programs, registered apprenticeship programs, or maritime/mariner programs. Applications due Dec 13, 2024.
- The U.S. DOE has announced a new program, Clean Energy Careers for All (CEC4A), that will award nearly $3 million to non-profit educational organizations—including engineering, scientific, and technical societies—to support programs that promote awareness and interest in clean energy careers among K-12 and university students, alumni and academic professionals, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals. Phase 1 submissions are due Dec 13, 2024.
- The U.S. DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) has opened applications for up to $400 million, through the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program, to spur innovative, community-focused, clean energy solutions for rural and remote communities across the United States. Concept papers are due by Feb 27, 2025.
In the news:
- What Harris or Trump will mean for offshore wind in the Northeast
- Article from Boston’s NPR, Oct 16, 2024
- “Offshore wind is vital for us to meet our clean energy and climate goals,” said Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper. “Whether it’s Trump or anybody else, we need to keep our eye on the ball and keep trying to move the industry forward in whatever ways we can.”
- Tepper said there is a lot that states can do even if offshore wind stalls at the federal level. They can redesign port areas for staging future projects. They can build out the onshore electrical grid to support an influx of power from turbines in the ocean. And they can increase demand by signing new electricity contracts with wind developers.
- Tribal nations want utility-scale clean energy, but upfront costs pose a barrier | Utility Dive
- Article by Utility Dive, Oct. 14, 2024
- FERC’s required $5 million commercial readiness deposit for projects to remain in an interconnection queue is impossible for most tribes, says Chéri Smith, CEO of the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy.
- Central Coast fishermen sue California Coastal Commission over wind energy
- Article from Cal Coast News, Oct. 11, 2024
- Fishermen from Morro Bay and Port San Luis recently filed a legal challenge against the California Coastal Commission for not requiring wind energy companies to abide by Bureau of Ocean Energy Management rules before providing permits for sonar testing, the second lawsuit the groups have filed against the commission.
- Article from Cal Coast News
- Biden-Harris Administration, NOAA designate 3rd-largest national marine sanctuary
- Article from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Oct 11, 2024
- Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary to be managed with tribal, Indigenous community involvement
- Biden’s 30 GW Offshore Wind Goal Faces New Legal Setback in Maryland
- Article from Forbes, Oct 28, 2024
- The lawsuit, filed by Ocean City, Worcester County, and various community groups, highlights a crucial oversight in project development: the failure to build what researchers call a “chain of trust” with local communities.
- Lesson 1: Build Trust with Local Communities
- Lesson 2: Distance From Shore Is Extremely Important
- Lesson 3: Concerns Over Economic and Environmental Impacts Loom Large
Academic Articles
- Towards holistic, participative and adaptable governance for offshore wind farm decommissioning
- Paper from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Dec 1, 2024
- Despite a strong growing scientific interest in offshore wind farm (OWF) decommissioning, as well as an increasing public debate on the issue, a comprehensive approach to decommissioning decision-making has not yet landed in the actual regulatory processes. This gap is strikingly apparent in the Netherlands, where two OWFs will be decommissioned in the coming years. This paper explores where stakeholders believe the current bottlenecks exist, and how progress can be made towards decisive but inclusive decision-making. Based on individual co-creation sessions with concerned stakeholders, it offers multiple recommendations, including broadly supported criteria to be considered when comparing decommissioning alternatives, as well as underlying perceptions or patterns to be recognized, such as liability concerns, ecosystem valuation, lock-in and path dependency.