Locals concerned about a proposed offshore wind energy development that could include hundreds of floating turbines about 20 miles off the coast of Morro Bay met in Cayucos on Saturday for the Offshore Wind Energy Forum. They discussed the various impacts that the plan may have on the Central Coast.
The event was organized by React Alliance, a grassroots coalition made up of local citizens that advocates against the planned offshore wind project.
"Do your own research, talk to people who are in the field like this woman who is speaking now, Bonnie Brady. She's been at this for probably a decade, so I think if you're an environmentalist and you care about animals and the Earth, then you need to care about this issue," said Nicole Dorfman, the secretary of React Alliance.
For more information about the proposed development and React Alliance's upcoming events and meetings, you can visit the coalition's website.
Editor's note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that an offshore wind energy development project was approved by the California Energy Commission.
The California Energy Commission provided the following statement:
"The California Energy Commission (CEC) has not approved any offshore wind development projects along California's coastline, nor has any other agency.
In December 2022, the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) entered into lease agreements with several companies for potential commercial wind energy development in specific areas off the Central and Northern coasts of California. However, at this time, no offshore wind energy projects in these areas have been submitted or approved for development.
When the state initiates its permitting process for offshore wind power projects, the California State Lands Commission will be the lead agency.
The CEC unanimously voted in July to adopt the Offshore Wind Energy Strategic Plan [energy.ca.gov], which serves as a roadmap for the development of offshore wind energy — one of California's largest untapped renewable energy resources. This strategic plan was mandated by AB 525 (Chiu, Chapter 231, Statutes of 2021) to study and recommend actions the state should take to realize the environmental and economic benefits of offshore wind."
