Thank you, California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild and Attorney General Rob Bonta, for announcing the state’s intent to sue over the Trump administration’s offshore wind lease buybacks.
It’s no secret that California needs more electricity. Diablo Canyon will not operate forever. We have a great opportunity to tap a new renewable and clean energy source with offshore wind. The California State Lands Commission estimates 25 gigawatts of electricity can be produced by 2045. For comparison, Diablo Canyon produces 18 gigawatts per year.
In addition, offshore wind represents a once-in-a-generation economic and jobs opportunity, bringing good-paying jobs and a new long-term revenue stream to SLO county.
In the face of these benefits and clean energy needs, the Trump administration brokered backroom deals using taxpayer money to buy back contracts to build out offshore wind in the Central Coast. To make matters worse, the two leaseholders to take the buyouts are indicating their new investment will be in fossil fuel extraction.
How in the world does California benefit from this? Obviously we don’t, and I applaud our state for taking a stand to correct this injustice.
Craig Graugnard
San Luis Obispo
This article appears in July 2-9, 2026.
