During a press conference, on Oct. 22, Gov. Gavin Newsom stated that the media, people, and organizations that wield power and influence and do absolutely nothing when they know something is wrong, need to be held accountable. He calls it the “great grift.” Gov. Newsom states that he is sending out kneepads to the CEOs of organizations, media companies, universities, and law firms for “bending their knees.” He asks: “What the hell is going on in this country? … None of this is normal. … Wake up everybody.”
Gov. Newsom talks about how the federal administration ignores the national priorities while it tears down the East Wing of the White House to build a “big, beautiful ballroom,” assess higher tariffs, and reduce health benefits for the American people.
Let’s use this for an analogy of what is going on in the state of California to empower foreign oil and gas corporations to decimate our oceans and coastal communities—Newsom’s Great Grift.
Newsom—and the agencies, boards, and commissions that his administration oversees—continues to allocate hundreds of millions of dollars to fund a sweeping plan to develop a massive floating offshore wind project off California’s coast. This is an experimental project that has an unknown impact on global climate change. There are few other floating offshore wind projects in the world. The uncertainty of benefits created by this experimental ocean industrialization project is compounded by the fact that California has no grid capacity to transmit any energy that may be generated.
Current non-floating offshore wind projects located in Europe and on the east coast of the United States have a lifespan of 15 to 25 years. The retired turbines from offshore and land-based wind projects are not usually recycled and are a burden.
Tricia Boaz
San Luis Obispo
This article appears in Oct 30 – Nov 9 2025.
So where’s the grift? Is Newsom somehow benefiting monetarily from this? I don’t think so. He is trying to mitigate climate change. If it fails, so be it. Isn’t it better than sinking millions into more fossil fuel production and driving up global warming. My prediction is that if California doesn’t do this, the Chinese or Europeans most certainly will. Unfortunately, Luddites like yourself and President Trump want to stick with the status quo, which is disastrous in the long run.
My viewpoint (unedited):
In October 2025, Governor Newsom chastised those that fail to call out wrongdoings by the federal administration. He calls it the Great Grift.” He sent kneepads to “kneelers” as a symbol of their acquiescence.
Yet despite uncertain impacts on climate change, an insufficient power grid, and $8-11 billion price tag, Newsom directs substantial funding toward an experimental, large-scale floating offshore wind project backed by foreign oil and gas corporations along California’s coast – Newsom’s Great Grift.
“Kneelers” in this grift are organizations historically dedicated to environmental preservation. The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society, Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation among others, endorse offshore wind, ignoring significant negative impacts to the Pacific Flyway, marine sanctuaries, and local coastal ports – under the premise of addressing climate change and job creation. Fossil fuels are required to manufacture, transport, install, operate, maintain, and dispose of offshore wind components. Trucks and shipping vessels will increase traffic in our communities and ports.
Claims of job creation are misleading. Most positions are temporary and located outside California and the United States. Conversely, there will be job losses within our local tourism, fishing, retail, and recreation sectors.
As Newsom says, “Wake up everybody.” The offshore wind project is Newson’s Great Grift.
Michael:
“Isn’t it better than sinking millions into more fossil fuel production and driving up global warming.”
Do you own a car with an internal combustion engine? Does the food you eat get delivered by a big rig with a diesel engine?
Sell your car and stop eating.
I do have an old farm truck that I hardly ever use. My main transport for trips into town is a 23 Chevy Bolt, plugs right in and draws off my solar panels. I grow, slaughter or fish for my own food (do have to go into Costco every few months for dog food, flour for my bread maker and snacks—I have a sweet tooth). I heard you were fishing and thought I might help you—been catching rock and ling cod off Avila since before you were born. But you’re so antagonistic I dropped it.
Michael:
Thank you, no. I’ve been fishing (fresh water) in San Diego since the 70s, I’m fine.
You “grow, slaughter, or fish…” for your own food. Sounds like you own land. We have nothing in common, why you defend liberals is beyond me. In fact, your class of people (NIMBYs/liberals) actually worked against my own interest and in collusion with RINOs, have ruined any opportunity for upward mobility for the rest of us. Stay away from my spot when I’m fishing.
In October 2025, Governor Newsom chastised those that fail to call out wrongdoings by the federal administration. He calls it the Great Grift.” He sent kneepads to “kneelers” as a symbol of their acquiescence.
Yet despite uncertain impacts on climate change, an insufficient power grid, and $8-11 billion price tag, Newsom directs substantial funding toward an experimental, large-scale floating offshore wind project backed by foreign oil and gas corporations along California’s coast – Newsom’s Great Grift.
“Kneelers” in this grift are organizations historically dedicated to environmental preservation. The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society, Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation among others, endorse offshore wind, ignoring significant negative impacts to the Pacific Flyway, marine sanctuaries, and local coastal ports – under the premise of addressing climate change and job creation. Fossil fuels are required to manufacture, transport, install, operate, maintain, and dispose of offshore wind components. Trucks and shipping vessels will increase traffic in our communities and ports.
Claims of job creation are misleading. Most positions are temporary and located outside California and the United States. Conversely, there will be job losses within our local tourism, fishing, retail, and recreation sectors.
As Newsom says, “Wake up everybody.” The offshore wind project is Newson’s Great Grift.
I am retired from the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. I do not know why logo is presented. Any help to show how to delete it would be great!
Trivia:
Just go into your New Times account settings and either delete it or replace it with whatever you want. My avatar is me drop-knee body boarding a crappy wave at Uluwatu, Bali.
Trivia:
Actually, New Times recently changed how they allow comments. There’s no way to upvote or downvote comments. Also, I think we no longer have accounts on New Times. I think you may have used either a Gmail account or former work account to submit your comment. Go look at your Gmail settings or what ever email account you use. I think that image can be removed there.
Thank you for trying to help
Me. I have the right photo on my google
Email but it still shows up. Oh well🤷