The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced a new round of public comment following a draft environmental impact statement assessing the impacts of offshore wind energy development.
The draft programmatic environmental impact statement is an additional step in BOEM’s regional analysis, one that the agency chose to undertake to help identify and ensure a thorough understanding of the potential environmental effects of mitigation associated with offshore wind, BOEM’s public affairs officer John Romero said.
The draft introduces three alternatives: Alternative A assumes that no wind energy development would occur off California’s coast; Alternative B considers future offshore wind development without mitigation measures; and Alternative C, BOEM’s preferred action, includes mitigation measures to help reduce or avoid potential impacts.
BOEM then lists out the effects that all three would have on 19 environmental factors ranging from air quality and greenhouse gas emissions to coastal habitats and wetlands.
In the case of coastal habitats and wetlands, BOEM identified that Alternative A would continue to have temporary, long-term, and permanent impacts on coastal habitat and fauna while land disturbance from onshore development would cause temporary and permanent loss to wetlands.
Alternative B would have impacts on coastal habitat, fauna, and wetlands depending on the amount and quality of coastal habitat being altered or removed.
And Alternative C would be similar to Alternative B.
“However, mitigation measures would reduce some impacts associated with cable installation and maintenance,” according to the draft environmental impact statement.
Romero said the impact statement helps BOEM identify and analyze ways to avoid, reduce, and monitor any negative effects that might arise from future offshore wind projects. And BOEM could apply these measures as conditions of approval for any future proposed offshore wind projects in California.
“By taking this proactive approach, we can identify and establish mitigation measures that can be applied across multiple projects, streamlining the review process of future project plans, while enhancing transparency and inclusivity,” Romero said. “This process reflects our commitment to engaging with tribes, local communities, and key stakeholders to make sure their concerns are heard, considered, and addressed.”
BOEM’s 90-day comment period will end on Feb. 12, 2025. The agency will hold two virtual public meetings for the draft environmental impact statement on Jan. 28, 2025, at 5 p.m. and Jan. 30, 2025, at 12 p.m.
For more information, visit boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/california-offshore-wind-programmatic-environmental-impact.
Romero said that even with the impact statement, any future project would still go through its own site-specific environmental review.
Currently, three companies have leases about 20 miles from Morro Bay in federal waters: Invenergy California Offshore LLC; Atlas Offshore Wind LLC, previously known as Equinor Wind US LLC; and Golden State Wind LLC.
Atlas didn’t respond to New Times request for comment before publication, but Recharge reported that Equinor, or Atlas Wind, is pausing project plans in its local leasing area to prioritize later-stage projects in different regions.
Molly Croll from American Clean Power Association-California told New Times on Nov. 22 that offshore wind projects in California are at the beginning of a decade-long development process and the next few years will continue to see infrastructure investments in transmission and ports, preparation for permitting and procurement, and community engagement and education.
“The offshore wind industry continues to bolster local economies across the country and support thousands of high-paying jobs,” she said. “Offshore wind remains a crucial part of the nation’s energy portfolio and is necessary to meet growing consumer demand for reliable and affordable energy.”
According to BOEM, offshore wind in California would create enough power for more than 1.5 million homes.
Golden State Wind’s CEO Tyler Studds told New Times that the demand for electricity is expected to double by 2050 nationwide.
“Given continuing data center growth and rising electrification, California is looking to offshore wind as an important element in the diverse long-term energy portfolio to keep the lights on and the economy thriving.” Δ
This article appears in Dec 19-29, 2024.