Here is a copy of the September newsletter on offshore wind and related interests.
Upcoming opportunities for action, leadership and learning:
- September 24 | Webinar on Seabirds and Offshore Wind Hosted by Pacific Offshore Wind Consortium and presented by H.T. Harvey & Associates and Schatz Energy Research Center
- Research will be presented on the tradeoffs between the collision vulnerability of 44 seabird species and the offshore wind power-generation potential along California’s coast
- Click here to register for the Webinar on Seabirds and Offshore Wind
- Election Season Highlight | 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;
- Click here for a summary background and analysis
- Approving Proposition 4 would authorize $10 billion in debt to spend on environmental and climate projects, including:
- $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 an nature-based climate solution programs
- $850 million in clean air programs, including
- $325 million for clean energy transmission
- $50 million for energy storage
- $475 million for port development to facilitate offshore wind
- 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.
- The Humboldt Bay Harbor District expects to publish their developer/operator RFQ in the coming weeks. Let them know what you would like included! Check out the set of recommendations Network partners have asked the District to incorporate here.
- The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management anticipates publishing their draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement in November or December of this year. They have contracted with a firm that can work with Tribal Nations to review and respond to the PEIS. Contact Lisa Gilbane, BOEM Pacific Region Office of Environment for more information – lisa.gilbane@boem.gov or 805.384.6387.
Recent Events and Updates:
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces First-Ever Wind Lease Sale Offshore Oregon
- The Department of the Interior today announced it will hold an offshore wind energy lease sale off southern Oregon on October 15th, 2024
- The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians Have filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management based on assertion that “the environmental analysis underpinning the sale was too narrow and based on a “predetermined political decision.”
- OregonLive Story about wave energy that touches on offshore wind leasing and opposition in Oregon.
- AB 2537 (Addis), a bill that would establish a fund for resourcing communities and Tribal Nations to engage in offshore wind, passed through the Assembly floor last and is awaiting the governor’s signature
- Summary of AB 2537; AB 2537 Bill Text
- Ways to support AB 2537:
- Call on Governor Newsom to sign this bill into law by (1) celebrating the bill on social media using this toolkit, and (2) signing onto this coalition support letter to the Governor
In the news and academic articles:
- Getting offshore wind right means investing in science
- Op ed by Dr. Arne Jacobson of Schatz Energy Research Center in Capitol Weekly posted 09.09.24
- The success of offshore wind projects in California depends on thorough scientific understanding of the impacts. It is crucial that industry, philanthropy, and government are aligned on research priorities so decision making can be guided by evidence.
- The City of Salem, Massachusetts published their Community Benefits Agreement with Crowley Wind Services
- The CBA is values at about 3% of the total project cost
- Some highlights include:
- Aggressive hiring targets: local, union, women, and BIPOC.
- $400K in scholarships and educational opportunities in maritime sector.
- $200K funds and commitments for bilingual outreach for education, job training, and safety / community communications.
- More than $3.5M for Salem Public Schools and educational programs – including Indigenous history and culture.
- $1.25M for additional Harbormaster’s marine operations personnel + more than $1.4M to support other city services (police, fire, and language/translation). Commitment: Crowley to utilize local supply chain sourcing to the greatest extent.
- Climate Adaptation Fund: for city sustainability and resiliency projects.
- Commitment: port electrification by 2040.
- Seed funding: regional coalition building for clean energy and a blue economy on the North Shore.
- A CBA Working Group: transparency and accountability measure to ensure regular reports, continuing community involvement, and oversight.
- Indigenous Environmental Justice, Renewable Energy Transition, and the Infrastructure of Sovereignty
- Whyte argues that Indigenous communities must be at the forefront of the renewable energy transition as active decision makers and have control over resource extraction on their lands.