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1972

In 1972, Dr. William “Bill” E. Heronemus (1), a professor at the University of Massachusetts, introduced the idea of using large floating offshore wind turbines in order to produce electricity. Click here and scroll down to view early conceptual drawings of offshore wind by Dr. Heronemus and graduate research assistants (2), one of which is notably captioned “Pollution-Free Energy from Offshore Winds.”​

1990

In 1990, the world’s first offshore wind turbine (3) was installed in the Baltic Sea about 820 feet off the southeast coast of Nogersund, Sweden by the company World Wind. Generating a total of 220 kilowatts, the turbine was built (4) as a test plant “to examine the influence of birds, fish and fishing, shipping, public opinion, maintenance and the effects on foundations from wind and ice.” Click here to view an image of this preliminary offshore wind turbine (3).

1991

In 1991, Vindeby Offshore Wind Farm (5), the world’s first offshore wind farm, was installed in the Baltic Sea about 1.5 miles off the coast of Danish Island of Lolland. Generating a total of five megawatts using eleven Bonus Energy B35/450 turbines (6) — the largest commercial onshore wind turbines available at the time — that were based on concrete foundations in shallow water, Vindeby supplied electricity to 2,200 Danish households until being decommissioned in 2017. Click here to view an image of the Vindeby Offshore Wind Farm (7).

Map of Vindeby Offshore Wind Farm off the coast of Denmark.

Map of Vindeby Offshore Wind Farm.

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) (8)

Throughout the 1990s, a small number of additional offshore wind farms were constructed (9) off the coasts of Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom as pilot projects focused on determining the technical feasibility of offshore wind — the largest of which generated 40 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

Wind turbines in the Baltic Sea.

Wind turbines in the Baltic Sea.

Source: John Samuel via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) (10)

2001

In November 2001, Cape Wind Associates, LLC (CWA) submitted (11) the first-ever application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the construction of a wind power facility — to be located in Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts.​

2010

On December 28, 2010, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published (12) a Request for Interest (RFI) to gauge interest in future wind energy development offshore Massachusetts.​

2013

In 2013, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) held the first competitive federal offshore commercial wind lease sale (13), and auctioned off nearly 165,000 acres off the coasts of Massachusetts and of Rhode Island for wind energy development.​

2016

In October 2016, at the request of California Governor Jerry Brown, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) established the California Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force (14), a partnership of local, State, Federal, and Tribal governments intended to facilitate coordination among stakeholders in wind energy development offshore California.​

BOEM’s 4-Phase Process for Projects in the Outer Continental Shelf, with box around "Intergovernmental Task Force."

BOEM’s Four-Phase Process for Projects in the Outer Continental Shelf (federal waters), with yellow box added around "Intergovernmental Task Force".

Source: BOEM (15)

Task Force meetings were held on October 13, 2016, September 17, 2018, March 9, 2020, and July 9, 2021. BOEM and the State of California then created the California Offshore Wind Gateway (16) — a tool that analyzes factors such as wind speed, ocean depth, ecological and natural resources, commercial and recreational uses, and community values to help inform decisions about siting offshore wind energy projects off the California coast.

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On November 21, 2016, the California Energy Commission (CEC) convened a California Offshore Renewable Energy (17) Tribal informational meeting at Trinidad Rancheria, which was attended by representatives of several northern California Tribes, the Tribal Advisor to the Governor, as well as CEC and U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) spokespeople. Tribal representatives expressed strong interest in gaining more information about potential economic benefits related to offshore wind for Tribal nations and the North Coast region (pg. 6) (18).

​

In December 2016, Block Island Wind Farm (19) — the first offshore wind project in the United States — became operational 3.8 miles off the coast of Block Island, Rhode Island. Generating a total of 30 megawatts (MW) using five Haliade 150-6 MW GE turbines (20), the wind farm supplies electricity to more than 1,100 year-round residents and seasonal tourists on Block Island, as well as households on the Rhode Island mainland.

Map of the Block Island Offshore Wind Project off the coast of Rhode Island.

Map of the Block Island Offshore Wind Project.

Source: Town of New Shoreham (19)

The five Alstom Haliade 6 MW turbines of the Block Island Wind Farm in Rhode Island.

The five Alstom Haliade 6 MW turbines of the Block Island Wind Farm.

Source: Ionna22 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) (21)

The southern shore of Block Island, Rhode Island and three of the five offshore wind turbines constructed in 2016.

The southern shore of Block Island and three of the five offshore wind turbines constructed in 2016.

Source: Doodybutch via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) (22)

2017

Since 2017, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Pacific Regional Office “has partnered with the [California Energy Commission {CEC)] on non-consultation Tribal engagement for offshore wind energy planning in California. While non-Federally-recognized Tribes are not able to participate formally on the BOEM California Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force (14) [established in October 2016], the State has an obligation to consult with all California Tribes regardless of Federal recognition. Therefore, the CEC takes the lead on initial outreach and input solicitation from Federally-recognized and non-recognized Tribes in California, with BOEM as an invited participant. BOEM engages with Federally-recognized Tribes outside of its partnership with CEC in consultation and [National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)] Section 106 consultation in accordance with the government-to-government relationship” (pg. 8) (23).​

​

In 2017, the State of California created a State Tribal Offshore Renewable Energy Working Group, including both Federally and non-Federally recognized Tribes (pg. 17) (18).

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In October 2017, the Hywind Scotland project (24), the world’s first floating offshore wind farm, became operational about 18 miles off the coast of Peterhead, Scotland. Generating a total of 30 megawatts (MW) with six Siemens 6-MW direct-drive turbines (25) mounted on Hywind floating monopiles (26), the wind farm supplies electricity to more than 20,000 households (27) in Scotland.

2018

In 2018, at the direction of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Wind Energy Technologies Office, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory launched the U.S. Offshore Wind Synthesis of Environmental Effects Research (SEER) (28) project in order to synthesize (29) key issues and disseminate existing knowledge about environmental effects with offshore wind energy stakeholders, inform applicability to U.S. waters, and prioritize future research needs.​

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On March 13, 2018, the Pacific Ocean Energy Trust hosted the California Offshore Wind Symposium (30) at the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria in Sacramento, CA.

 

In April 2018, during a California Energy Commission (CEC) Energy Policy Workshop, Yurok Tribe Vice Chair Frankie Myers stated that he was unsatisfied with offshore wind outreach so far and did not feel there had been sufficient Tribal consultation by either the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) or the Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA), and that “even a postcard would be nice” (pg. 15) (18).

 

In September 2018, the Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) and a consortium of developers submitted an unsolicited lease application (31) to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for a Redwood Coast Offshore Wind Project about 20–30 miles off the coast of Humboldt County. The lease application was not accepted, but the area proposed was later absorbed into the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (WEA) (32).

 

In September 2018, following the first two California Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force (14) meetings on October 13, 2016 and September 17, 2018 and a collaborative, fact-based outreach process including (33) numerous public meetings, webinars, and briefings with coastal communities, fishing communities, Federally and non-Federally recognized Tribes, State and Federal agencies, academia and scientists, environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the offshore renewable energy industry, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the State of California published the first Outreach Summary Report: California Offshore Wind Energy Planning (34).

 

On October 19, 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published a Call for Information & Nominations for Commercial Leasing for Wind Power Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (35), in which three geographically distinct Call Areas were delineated: Morro Bay and Diablo Canyon off California’s Central Coast, and Humboldt off California’s North Coast (pg. 2) (36). “Initial outreach efforts and stakeholder feedback guided BOEM to refine which areas offshore California appear the most suitable for [offshore wind] development” (pg. 6) (36). The Call for Information & Nominations on the three Call Areas began a 100-day public comment period, from which BOEM received 118 public comments and 14 nominations from interested developers (pg. 6) (36).

BOEM’s 4-Phase Process for Projects in the Outer Continental Shelf, with box around "Request for Information."

BOEM’s Four-Phase Process for Projects in the Outer Continental Shelf (federal waters), with yellow box added around "Request for Information or Call for Information and Nominations".

Source: BOEM (15)

Between October 2018 and December 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the State of California continued to engage with and receive input from Tribal governments, local, State, and Federal agencies, stakeholders, and the public (pg. 2) (36).

Graph of BOEM California Offshore Wind Energy Planning Outreach Participation, October 2018-December 2020.

BOEM California Offshore Wind Energy Planning Outreach Participation, October 2018-December 2020.

Source: pg. 6 (36)

2019

On May 14, 2019, eight Tribes participated in a consultation webinar hosted by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) about the upcoming Programmatic Agreement (37) to govern the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 (38) review process for wind energy activities on the outer continental shelf (OCS) offshore from California:

(pg. 8) (23)

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From November 13, 2019 to September 9, 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Pacific Regional Office “hosted the West Coast [Renewable Energy] Science Exchange (47) — a series of bimonthly webinars focused on BOEM-funded research offshore California, Oregon, and Washington that will inform decisions about the planning, leasing, and development of offshore renewable energy in those areas. BOEM invited all west coast Tribal contacts (approximately 75 federally recognized Tribes and 29 non-federally-recognized Tribes) to each of the six webinars and engaged in follow-up conversations upon request. The webinar with the highest number of Tribal attendees covered BOEM-funded historic preservation research on the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf on July 8, 2020.” (pg. 14) (23)


On December 31, 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) executed a Programmatic Agreement (37) to govern the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 (38) review process for wind energy activities on the outer continental shelf (OCS) offshore California (pg. 8) (23).

2020

On January 2, 2020, the Pacific Regional Historic Preservation Officer provided copies of the executed National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 (38) Programmatic Agreement (37) to the eight Tribes that participated in a May 14, 2019 consultation webinar, and invited each Tribe to sign on as a concurring party:

(pg. 8) (23)

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On February 4, 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Pacific Regional Tribal Liaison met with representatives of the Wiyot Tribe (53) for an informational meeting at the Tribe’s offices in Loleta, CA. BOEM shared information about offshore wind energy planning activities in California. Wiyot representatives shared information about Wiyot lands, the Tribe’s experience with an onshore wind energy development proposal, and issues of importance to the Wiyot Tribe. Wiyot representatives agreed to join the BOEM California Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force (14) [established in October 2016]. (pg. 8-9) (23)

 

On February 5, 2020, the California Energy Commission (CEC) convened a Tribal outreach meeting hosted by the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria at the Tish Non Community Center in Loleta, California. 

 

By invitation, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) presented an overview of offshore wind planning efforts in the Humboldt Call Area (32), the BOEM offshore wind authorization process, National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 Programmatic Agreement (37) for California offshore wind activities, and previous and planned Tribal engagement and consultation. BOEM also provided visual simulations of a hypothetical offshore wind farm in the Humboldt Call Area for feedback. (pg. 9) (23)

 

“Tribal representatives commented on potential opportunities for greater local capacity and workforce development in offshore wind-related skillsets (e.g., local research using tribal expertise, operations, electricians, IT, maintenance roles). Tribal representatives also commented on the ability of the offshore wind project to help Humboldt County segment and island its electrical grid, a need underscored by the recent Public Safety Power Shutoffs. Tribal representatives asked about exploration of a 50-150MW ‘branch’ to serve Humboldt County and tribal nations connected to the grid when the larger electrical grid is not operational. Attendees also commented that tribal communities and other communities would benefit greatly from more reliable and clean local energy generation.” (pg. 9) (48)

 

Representatives from eight Tribes participated in the meeting: 

(pg. 9) (23)

 

From February 7, 2020 until September 30, 2020, the California Energy Commission (CEC) solicited public and Tribal comments on the areas under consideration (54) (pg. 9) (23).

 

On February 24, 2020, the California Energy Commission (CEC) presented to the North Coast Tribal Chairpersons’ Association at the Blue Lake Rancheria in Blue Lake, California (pg. 3-5) (18).

 

On March 9, 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the State of California convened the third meeting of the BOEM California Intergovernmental Offshore Renewable Energy Task Force (55). The Task Force discussed several topics, including the status of BOEM’s leasing process, the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC)’s Strategic Plan and ongoing studies, comments received in response to BOEM’s Call for Information and Nominations (35) from October 2018, the “Additional Areas for Consideration” discussed by the Offshore Working Group (OWG), and associated visual simulations. Other stakeholder engagement included meetings covering the Call Areas and the [CEC]’s Notice of Availability (NOA) (pg. 3) (36). At the time of the meeting, 14 Tribes were on the BOEM Task Force roster, and those Task Force Tribal members received the meeting invitation and materials directly from the BOEM Task Force coordinator. The Pacific Regional Office’s practice is for the Regional Tribal Liaison to share information with and invite Task Force meeting participation by all Tribes with known or potential interest in Task Force activities, regardless of Task Force membership. Thus, BOEM invited meeting participation by and sent advanced and post-meeting materials to a total of 64 federally-recognized Tribes and 29 non federally-recognized Tribes. This outreach resulted in one additional Tribe added to the Task Force Roster. Representatives from nine Tribes attended the meeting. The meeting topics were primarily updates on offshore wind planning progress since the previous meeting on September 17, 2018 and discussion of additional considerations for offshore wind in the central coast of California. These areas were identified by a multi-agency Offshore Working Group led by U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal’s office. (pg. 9) (23).

 

On June 4, 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) engaged Tribes for a BOEM Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force virtual meeting (56). The meeting topics were updates relevant to offshore wind planning, since the previous meeting on September 27, 2019 was a discussion of a draft data gathering and engagement plan to inform offshore wind planning. (pg. 12-13) (23)

 

In September 2020, the Schatz Energy Research Center published a report entitled California North Coast Offshore Wind Studies: Stakeholder Benefits and Concerns (18). “The project team conducted 41 interviews with stakeholders between May 2018 and January 2020, and it also observed 14 public meetings and two industry conferences. The 41 interviews included stakeholders from the energy industry (5), local governments (8), environmental groups (11), fishermen (13), and labor/business (4). The project team attended two tribal meetings in February 2020, with government leaders and staff from 10 regional tribal nations to present preliminary results of the team’s research and obtain tribal input and preference for ongoing engagement with researchers on this topic.” (pg. i) (18)


In October 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published the report entitled Data Gathering & Engagement Plan for Offshore Wind Energy in Oregon (57), which includes a Tribal Engagement Plan, a commitment that BOEM and the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development…”[to] inform and engage federally recognized Tribes throughout the data gathering and engagement process in a manner that is respectful of Tribal sovereignty, the government-to-government relationship between Tribal governments, the U.S. federal government, and the State, and each Tribe’s policies and practices to the greatest extent possible”...a broad and inclusive approach for outreach to the Tribes and Tribal organizations…and subsequent engagement according to each Tribe’s and organization’s interests. (pg. 13) (23)

2021

In May 2021, the Biden-Harris administration announced (58) an agreement to advance areas for offshore wind off the North and Central Coasts of California. On June 24, 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), in partnership with the State of California, held an Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force meeting to discuss the identified areas off the North and Central Coasts as potential Wind Energy Areas (WEAs).

BOEM’s 4-Phase Process for Projects in the Outer Continental Shelf, with box around "Area ID."

BOEM’s Four-Phase Process for Projects in the Outer Continental Shelf (federal waters), with yellow box added around "Area Identification".

Source: BOEM (15)

On August 10, 2021, Wiyot (53) Tribal representatives met (59) with Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman, and California Energy Commissioner Karen Douglas:

“During her visit with the [Wiyot Natural Resources Department (WNRD)], local energy experts and Humboldt Harbor District staff, the group toured the port Redwood Terminal 1 in Samoa and were briefed on the prospective development of floating offshore wind turbine deployment 30 miles off Humboldt Bay…After the tour of Redwood Terminal 1, the group took a cruise on the Madaket to view the beautiful Wigi on the water…WNRD Interim Director, Adam Canter, was lucky enough to get a seat next to Sec. Haaland, where he noted the significance of the Wigi to the Wiyot people, along with the significance of Tuluwat, and the horrible history of the 1860 massacre, and that if the off-shore wind project proceeds, would be at the center of the Wiyot universe, who support a wise transition to renewables, with maximum mitigation of potential impacts to marine life and other species that could be effected by the project…After the tour and a short press conference regarding the offshore wind project Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman, and [CEC] Commissioner Karen Douglas met with local Tribal leaders.”

 

In September 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the landmark legislation Assembly Bill (AB) 525 (60), which required the California Energy Commission (CEC) to set a goal for State offshore wind energy production, identify suitable sea space for offshore wind, analyze the economic impact of offshore wind, and develop a strategic plan for offshore wind energy developments installed off the California coast.


In fall 2021, the Redwood Region Climate and Community Resilience (CORE) Hub (61) launched from the Humboldt Area Foundation/Wild Rivers Community Foundation to help solve the climate emergency and act with urgency to transition our built and natural systems to become both decarbonized and resilient at the same time by supporting deep community engagement and expert technical assistance, and centering equity by ensuring benefits accrue to underrepresented and marginalized communities first and to the greatest extent. The CORE Hub has since convened the North Coast Offshore Wind Community Benefit Network, a Tribal Offshore Wind Working Group, and a Wind Terminal Community Working Group, and partners have developed a set of initial investment priorities (62) for offshore wind developers and project priorities (63) for the proposed wind terminal at the Port of Humboldt.

2022

On January 24, 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) filed a Consistency Determination (64) for the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (WEA) (32).

 

On April 7, 2022, the California Coastal Commission (CEC) held a hearing on the Consistency Determination (64) for the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (WEA) (32), and CEC staff presented their recommendation of a conditional concurrence.

 

In May 2022, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) released the 2021–22 20-Year Transmission Outlook (65), which “presented transmission development alternatives to accommodate substantial growth in renewable resources, including (66) a total of 10 [gigawatts (GW)] of offshore wind development with 4 to 7 GW in the North Coast and 3 to 6 GW off the Central Coast”.


On May 5, 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published the Final Environmental Assessment (67) (as required by the National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA]) for leasing, site characterization, and site assessment activities in the Humboldt Wind Energy Area with a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) (68). The assessment does not permit offshore wind developers to construct or operate offshore wind turbines, but merely to conduct site assessments of the lease area and potential cable corridors to shore. According to the CEC, “the scope of the BOEM’s 2022 EA and FONSI considered the effects of lease issuance within the Humboldt WEA, issuance of potential easements associated for each lease and grants for transmission cable corridors. The environmental analysis focused on the effects of site characterization (i.e., surveys of the lease area and potential cable routes) and assessment activities associated with lease and grant sites (i.e., temporary deployment, operation, and decommissioning of meteorological buoys)” (pg. 7) (66). 

BOEM’s 4-Phase Process for Projects in the Outer Continental Shelf, with box around "Environmental Reviews."

BOEM’s Four-Phase Process for Projects in the Outer Continental Shelf (federal waters), with yellow box added around "Environmental Reviews".

Source: BOEM (15)

In total, the “Planning & Analysis” phase for Humboldt offshore wind lasted for almost five years — from October 2016 to May 2022 — prior to the lease sale (below).


On May 31, 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published a proposed sale notice (PSN) for the sale of commercial wind energy leases (69) on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (WEA) and Morro Bay WEA offshore California.

BOEM’s 4-Phase Process for Projects in the Outer Continental Shelf, with box around "Publish Leasing Notices."

BOEM’s Four-Phase Process for Projects in the Outer Continental Shelf (federal waters), with yellow box added around "Publish Leasing Notices".

Source: BOEM (15)

On August 2, 2022, the California Energy Commission (CEC) published the Offshore Wind Energy Development off the California Coast: Maximum Feasible Capacity & Megawatt Planning Goals for 2030 & 2045 (70), a report that addresses Assembly Bill (AB) 525’s (60) requirements that the CEC shall “evaluate and quantify the maximum feasible capacity of offshore wind to achieve reliability, ratepayer, employment, and decarbonization benefits and shall establish megawatt offshore wind planning goals for 2030 and 2045.” California projected producing at least 5 gigawatts of electricity with offshore wind by 2030, and 25 gigawatts by 2045—the boldest commitment of any U.S. state to date.

 

On October 21, 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published its Final Sale Notice (71) for the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (WEA) (32).

 

On October 26, 2022, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Conservation & Recreation District (Harbor District) announced its partnership with the Florida-based company Crowley Wind Services to build a port terminal to support offshore wind development on the West Coast at Marine Terminal 1, an old pulp mill property on Wigi/Humboldt Bay’s Samoa Peninsula, which the Harbor District acquired (72) in 2013.

 

On November 29, 2022, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved an offshore wind-related resolution (73) that outlined their commitment to collaboration with Tribal Nations and community partners in a vision and roadmap for offshore wind, addressing concerns and minimizing impacts, and maximizing benefits.


On December 6, 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) held a lease auction (74) for two parcels within the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (WEA) (32), as well as three parcels off the coast of Morro Bay in Central California.

BOEM’s 4-Phase Process for Projects in the Outer Continental Shelf, with box around "Conduct Auction."

BOEM’s Four-Phase Process for Projects in the Outer Continental Shelf (federal waters), with yellow box added around "Conduct Auction or Negotiate Lease Terms".

Source: BOEM (15)

The German RWE Offshore Wind Holdings, LLC (75) provisionally won the lease for [Pacific Outer Continental Shelf] OCS-P 0561 (76) on the North Coast, shown in blue on the map below and comprising 63,338 acres, for $157.7 million. The Danish North Floating, LLC (77) provisionally won the lease for OCS-P 0562 (78) on the North Coast, shown in pink on the map below and comprising 69,031 acres, for $173.8 million. As part of the lease agreement, RWE entered into an agreement to spend 20% of these funds on workforce and supply chain development in the U.S., 2.5% on an agreement to benefit fishermen who previously used the lease area, and 2.5% on a community benefit agreement for the local community.

The two lease areas in the Humboldt Wind Energy Area.

Humboldt Wind Energy Areas (OCS-P-0561 & OCS-P-0562).

Source: BOEM (79)

Equinor Wind US, LLC (80), Golden State Wind, LLC (then (81) Central California Offshore Wind), and Invenergy California Offshore, LLC (82) provisionally won the lease areas off the Central Coast. The combined winning bids for all five lease areas, which have the potential to power more than 1.5 million homes in California, totalled more than $757 million. The leaseholders then began the “Site Assessment & Surveys” phase, starting by conducting analyses to produce an Environmental Impact Statement. Experts say construction is at least 5 to 6 years away (83). BOEM’s template project timeline estimates that site assessment will take up to 5 years with environmental and technical review taking 1-2 years after that. Then, the pace of installation will depend on economic factors such as supply chain constraints, interest rates, inflation, etc. As part of the lease agreement, RWE entered into an agreement to spend 20% of these funds on workforce and supply chain development in the U.S., 2.5% on an agreement to benefit fishermen who previously used the lease area, and 2.5% on a community benefit agreement for the local community.

Timeline of the offshore wind development process including the hand-off between BOEM and BSEE.

Timeline of the offshore wind development process including the hand-off between BOEM and BSEE.
Source: BOEM / BSEE (84)

2023

In January 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released a California Floating Offshore Wind Regional Ports Assessment (85), which identified the Port of Humboldt Bay (Wigi) as a critical port for offshore wind development.

 

On February 13, 2023, the Yurok Tribe, Cal Poly Humboldt, and College of the Redwoods announced (86) their partnership on an offshore wind workforce development initiative.

 

On February 24, 2023, the CEC published the AB 525 Report: Preliminary Assessment of the Economic Benefits of Offshore Wind Related to Seaport Investments and Workforce Development Needs and Standards (87).

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On March 9, 2023, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District (Harbor District) approved a resolution (88) to work with community partners on a vision and roadmap for offshore wind, collaborate with Tribal Nations on offshore wind development, work with partners to develop community benefits agreements, engage in offshore wind outreach, draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the County of Humboldt on mutual offshore wind interests, coordinate with various government entities to maximize environmental and economic benefits and minimize adverse impacts; and other priorities for protections and benefits.

 

In May 2023, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District (Harbor District) received (89) a $500,000 Target Brownfields Assessment grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assess the extent of contamination at Redwood Marine Terminal I, the former site of lumber and plywood mills, a dock, and other industrial activities, and now the proposed site for the offshore wind heavy lift marine terminal project (90) on Wigi/Humboldt Bay’s Samoa Peninsula.

 

On May 15, 2023, the California Energy Commission (CEC) published the AB5 25 Report: Offshore Wind Energy Permitting Roadmap (87).


On June 1, 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued (15) its first-ever leases of wind energy areas (WEAs) on the West Coast, and the first in U.S. history to support what the Department of Interior calls “commercial-scale” offshore wind energy. The five lease areas, two located off the coast of Humboldt Bay and three located off the coast of Morro Bay, have a combined area of 373,268 acres and the potential to generate about 4.6 gigawatts of energy." Assembly Bill (AB) 525 (60) directs (91) the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop a Strategic Plan by June 30, 2023 to deploy offshore wind in federal waters.”

BOEM’s 4-Phase Process for Projects in the Outer Continental Shelf, with box around "Issue Leases."

BOEM’s Four-Phase Process for Projects in the Outer Continental Shelf (federal waters), with yellow box added around "Issue Lease(s)".

Source: BOEM (15)

In June 2023, (prior to the initiation of the project’s mandatory California Environmental Quality Act [CEQA] process), the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District (Harbor District) invited ten Tribal governments to consult with the Harbor District regarding the project. To date, seven Tribes have accepted that invitation, and the Harbor District is actively working with these Tribes to understand their concerns and evaluate project alternatives. These communications with Tribes are occurring as a part of the Assembly Bill (AB) 525 (60) process, and are therefore confidential; therefore, the Harbor District does not openly disclose the nature of its engagements with Tribes. Any Tribal government representatives who would like to learn more should contact Harbor District Development Director, Rob Holmlund (92).

 

On June 26, 2023, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District (Harbor District) issued a Notice of Preparation (93) of the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal Project (90).

 

On July 27, 2023, the California State Lands Commission released the AB 525 Port Readiness Plan (94), which identified the Port of Humboldt Bay as a critical staging and integration site for the offshore wind industry.

 

On August 10, 2023, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District (Harbor District) approved a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the State Building and Construction Trade Council of the State of California, Building and Construction Trades Council of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, and the Signatory of Craft Councils and Unions for the Harbor District’s Offshore Wind and Heavy Lift Terminal at the Port of Humboldt (90). The PLA sets a minimum 20% hiring goal for targeted workers, and a 25% targeted worker goal for all apprentice hours. Targeted workers are defined in the PLA as: “(i) any Disadvantaged Worker; (ii) any worker domiciled in the Local Business Area; (iii) graduates of Humboldt County local High Schools, College of the Redwoods, and Cal Poly Humboldt; or (iv) any workers needed to meet targeted employment requirements pursuant to the Project’s funding sources.” Per the Harbor District’s Humboldt Bay Clarifications Document (95), “'Disadvantaged Worker' shall mean a Local Resident, who, prior to the commencing Project Work, meets at least one of the following barriers to employment and shall be prioritized in the following order for dispatch: (1) is enrolled as a tribal member or a spouse of an enrolled tribal member of a federally recognized Tribe within the Local Impact Area or within Del Norte County; (2) resides on the Samoa Peninsula from the Mad River Slough to the North Jetty; (3) is a Veteran Worker; (4) is a commercial fisherman; or (5) has successfully completed the Building Trades Multi-Craft Core Curriculum Pre-Apprenticeship Program (this includes graduates who reside in Del Norte County).” “Qualified workers shall be dispatched in the following order: (1) is enrolled as a tribal member or a spouse of an enrolled tribal members of a federally recognized Tribe within Humboldt or Del Norte Counties; (2) residents on the Samoa Peninsula from the Mad River Slough to the North Jetty; (3) is a Veteran Worker (any person who has served in the armed forces of the United States as demonstrated by a valid Form DD214); (4) is a commercial Fisherman; (5) has successfully completed the Building Trades Multi-Craft Core Curriculum Pre-Apprenticeship Program and resides in Humboldt or Del Norte Counties; (6) residents of the Local Impact Area (i.e., Humboldt County), which is comprised of the zip codes set forth on Attachment D; (7) graduates of Humboldt County local High Schools, College of the Redwoods, or Cal Poly Humboldt; and (8) any workers needed to meet targeted employment requirements pursuant to the Project’s funding sources.”

 

On August 21, 2023, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District (Harbor District) issued its application to the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Opportunity (MPDG) Program for a Humboldt Offshore Wind Minimum Viable Port (MVP) (96).


On December 20, 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published a Notice of Intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) (97) of potential offshore wind development activities in the five WEAs off the coast of Northern and Central California, which initiated a 60-day public comment period to inform the scope and alternatives of the PEIS. “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to responsibly harnessing the clean energy and economic potential of offshore wind in California,” said Doug Boren, BOEM Pacific Regional Director. “This regional environmental analysis will help ensure that timely decisions can be made to advance offshore wind while protecting the ocean environment, marine life, and other ocean uses. This approach also ensures both a comprehensive review of the California areas and improved efficiencies for future offshore wind project reviews.” (98)

2024

On January 11, 2024, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District (Harbor District) unanimously approved a Green Terminal Strategy Resolution (99) that directs staff to develop a green terminal strategy roadmap for the proposed Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal Project (90) on Wigi/Humboldt Bay's Samoa Peninsula. The strategy roadmap would include strategies to limit emissions at the terminal to the extent feasible at the outset of operations and to create a stakeholder group.

 

On January 19, 2024, the California Energy Commission (CEC) released the long-awaited AB 525 Draft Strategic Plan for Offshore Wind Development (87), which “identifies the starting points for the planning of offshore wind transmission and acknowledges that targeted analysis of transmission alternatives is necessary to inform infrastructure decisions related to offshore wind.”

 

On January 23, 2024, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District received a $426,719,810 INFRA grant (96) from the U.S. Department of Transportation to assist with development of the proposed Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal Project (90), which is contingent (100) on raising a 50% match in funding that still must be generated.


 

On January 30-31, 2024, the Yurok Tribe hosted the first-ever Tribal Offshore Wind Summit (101) in Eureka, California.

 

On March 7, 2024, the Yurok Tribal Council voted to formally oppose (102) the development of floating offshore wind energy projects off the Yurok Coastline.

 

In March 2024, Crowley Wind Services allowed their exclusive right to negotiate (103) with the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District about developing a heavy lift terminal to expire (104).

 

On April 1, 2024, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) released its Draft 2023-2024 Transmission Plan (105), which was followed by a PowerPoint presentation on April 9, 2024. The plan included improvements to the local Humboldt Bay electric grid which would allow Humboldt Bay residents to directly receive future offshore wind electricity. The plan also called for improving the transmission connections between Humboldt Bay and the rest of the State which would allow offshore wind electricity to flow to larger population centers while improving reliability in Humboldt.


On April 2, 2024, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District (Harbor District) published a Request for Qualifications (106) seeking Statements of Qualifications from qualified firms for a grant-funded project to complete permitting and 30% of the heavy lift terminal project design — anticipating to sign a contract with a consultant by July 1, 2024.

Timeline of the Humboldt Bay Harbor District's Request for Qualifications for the proposed marine terminal.

Request for Qualifications: Redwood Marine Offshore Wind & Heavy Lift Multipurpose Terminal: Final Permitting & 30% Design Project.

Source: Humboldt Bay Harbor District, pg. 2 (106)

On May 6, 2024, the California Energy Commission (CEC) released the Transmission Corridor Evaluation: Humboldt Wind Energy Area (Volume 1: Report) (66), which was prepared by Aspen Environmental Group, H.T. Harvey & Associates Ecological Consultants, and the Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt (as a companion to the Draft AB 525 Strategic Plan for Offshore Wind Development [87]), in order “to provide preliminary information and rankings of land-use and environmental constraints associated with alternative corridors for transmission infrastructure to access offshore wind resource from the Humboldt area as contemplated in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO)’s 2023-2024 Transmission Planning Process (107).”

​

On May 9, 2024, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District (Harbor District) approved a resolution (108) affirming the “District’s Commitment to the Prevention of Sex Trafficking and ‘Missing and Murdered Indigenous People’ in Association with the Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal Project.”

 

On May 14, 2024, the Brookings Institution published a podcast entitled “Will Offshore Wind Be Good for Humboldt County, California?” (109), hosted by Tony Pipa, and featuring Humboldt County Director of Economic Development Scot Adair, Humboldt County 4th District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo, Humboldt County 1st District Supervisor Rex Bohn, Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District General Manager Linnea Jackson, Cal Poly Humboldt Indian Natural Resources, Science & Engineering Program Native Coordinator/STEM Advisor Lonyx Landry, Humboldt Area Foundation CEO Bryna Lipper, and Cal Poly Humboldt Executive Director of Initiatives Connie Stewart.

 

On May 15, 2024, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) released its Revised Draft 2023-2024 Transmission Plan (110), and the Pacific Offshore Wind Consortium (POW-C) was announced. This joint effort between the Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt, the Pacific Marine Energy Center at Oregon State University, and the Center for Coastal Marine Sciences at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. POW-C will advance three pillars: (i) research and innovation, (ii) university-level workforce education and professional development, and (iii) community and Tribal engagement and knowledge exchange.

 

On May 20, 2024, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman sent an urgent letter (111) to U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Elizabeth Klein, requesting that BOEM places a senior-level official in California to oversee Tribal participation in offshore wind development and be responsive to Tribal needs.


On May 23, 2024, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) Board approved the 2023-2024 Transmission Plan (107), including the recommended improvements to the Humboldt electric grid to facilitate offshore wind development.

​

On June 3, 2024, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) finalized (107) its 2023-2024 transmission planning recommendations (105).

​

On June 17, 2024, the subsea service provider Argeo was awarded a contract (118) to carry out the initial site investigation survey for RWE’s proposed Canopy offshore wind project, using the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Hugin® 6000. The contract includes a 40-day initial site investigation survey, with an option for an additional 30 days.

​

On July 10, 2024, the California Energy Commission approved the AB 525 Offshore Wind Energy Strategic Plan (87). Read more reporting from the Lost Coast Outpost here (117).

​

On July 17, 2024, the California Energy Commission published the Humboldt Wind Energy Area Transmission Corridor Evaluation: Volume 1: Report (120), prepared by Aspen Environmental Group, which aims to provide some analysis for potential project developers to assess permitting risks associated with transmission corridors.

​

On July 22, 2024, the California Energy Commission released a Substation Planning Evaluation Report for the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (121). The report takes a preliminary view at potential locations for the proposed Humboldt onshore substation within 3 miles of the existing Humboldt Bay 115 kV line, as required by CAISO’s 2023-2024 Transmission Plan (110). The report considers both the Samoa Peninsula (which is almost entirely constrained by tsunami hazards and important bird habitat) and an area south/southeast of Eureka as potential sites for the onshore substation, and notes many of the potential obstacles and hazards to substation construction. The “potentially feasible areas” in the “Humboldt Study Area” south/southeast of Eureka are predominantly zoned for agriculture and commercial timber production.

​

On July 23, 2024, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District held a special meeting at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka to unveil visual simulations (119) of what the wind turbines would look like while being assembled at the terminal on the Samoa Peninsula. The visual simulations include a sequence of views of various stages of development. The images found here maximal activity at full build-out (excluding wet storage), though the link above also shows simulations of more typical days during initial operational phases. Future simulations may include wet storage, which would generate additional visual impacts beyond what is shown below. Analysis of visual impacts is required by the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

Future Goals for Humboldt Offshore Wind

By the end of 2025, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District plans (16) to complete environmental review for the proposed Humboldt offshore wind heavy lift marine terminal project (90).

 

In 2026, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District plans (16) to begin construction on the proposed Humboldt offshore wind heavy lift marine terminal project (90).

 

By the end of 2029, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District plans (16) to complete Phase 1 of the proposed Humboldt offshore wind heavy lift marine terminal project (90).

Tentative construction phaseing map for the proposed Humboldt Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal.

Tentative construction phaseing map for the proposed Humboldt Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal. 

Source: Humboldt Bay Harbor District (116)

By 2030, the State of California aims (112) to produce at least 5 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind electricity by 2030. Similarly, the Biden-Harris administration aims (113) to produce at least 30 GW of electricity using offshore wind nationwide by 2030 in order “to lead a clean energy revolution and create thousands of [well-paying, blue-collar, union] jobs across the country.”

 

By June 1, 2034, the California Independent Systems Operator (CAISO) plans (107) for new transmission lines to be constructed that would enable proposed Humboldt offshore wind energy infrastructure to connect to Humboldt and the rest of California.

 

By the mid 2030s, RWE Offshore Wind Holdings, LLC (75), leaseholder of OCS-P 0561 (76) in the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (WEA) (32), anticipates (114) in-water construction of floating offshore wind farm activities.


By 2045, the State of California aims (112) to produce at least 25 gigawatts (GW) of electricity using offshore wind statewide — enough to power almost 4 million homes initially, and 25 million homes by 2050. “Offshore wind is a critical component to achieving our world-leading clean energy goals and this sale is an historic step on California’s march toward a future free of fossil fuels,” said (115) California Governor Gavin Newsom in December 2022. “Together with leadership from the Biden-Harris Administration, we’re entering a new era of climate action and solutions that give our planet a new lease on life.”

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  76. U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. (n.d.). RWE Offshore Wind Holdings, LLC (OCS-P 0561). www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/rwe-offshore-wind-holdings-llc-ocs-p-0561 

  77. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. (n.d.). www.cip.com/ 

  78. U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. (n.d.). California North Floating LLC (OCS-P 0562). www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/california-north-floating-llc-ocs-p-0562 

  79. Sims, H. (2022, October 18). IT’S ON: Humboldt Offshore Wind Leases to Go Up For Auction on Dec. 6. Lost Coast Outpost. https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2022/oct/18/its-humboldt-offshore-wind-leases-go-auction-dec-6/ 

  80. Equinor. (2024). www.equinor.com/where-we-are/united-states 

  81. U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. (2023, May 23). Change of Name Recognized. www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/state-activities/Final%20Name%20Change%20Recognition%20NOTICE%20CCOW%20to%20Golden%20State%20Wind%20LLC.pdf 

  82. Invenergy. (2023). https://invenergy.com/clean-energy/offshore-wind 

  83. Lopez, N. (2022, December 6). Going, Going, Gone: Feds Hold First-Ever Auction for California Offshore Wind Leases. Lost Coast Outpost. https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2022/dec/6/going-going-gone-feds-hold-first-ever-auction-for/ 

  84. Morin, M. (2018, March 5). BOEM’s Environmental Review Process for Offshore Wind Energy Projects. U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/renewable-energy-program/Environmental-Review-and-Compliance-of-Offshore-Wind-Energy-Projects.pdf 

  85. U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. (2023, January). California Floating Offshore Wind Regional Ports Assessment. www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/studies/BOEM-2023-010.pdf 

  86. Yurok Tribe. (2023, February 13). Press Release: Yurok Tribe Teams Up with Cal Poly and CR To Train Offshore Wind Workforce. www.yuroktribe.org/post/press-release-yurok-tribe-teams-up-with-cal-poly-and-cr-to-train-offshore-wind-workforce 

  87. California Energy Commission. (2024). AB 525 Reports: Offshore Renewable Energy. www.energy.ca.gov/data-reports/reports/ab-525-reports-offshore-renewable-energy

  88. Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District. (2023). Resolution No. 2023-05: A Resolution of the Board of Commissioners Concerning Offshore Wind Development Off the West Coast of the United States and Around Humboldt Bay. https://humboldtbay.org/sites/humboldtbay.org/files/Resolution%202023-05%20Offshore%20Wind%20Development.pdf 

  89. Jared Huffman. (2023, May 26). Huffman Announces Over $1.45 Million to California’s Second District Through Investing in America Agenda for Cleanup and Technical Assistance at Polluted Brownfield Sites. https://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/huffman-announces-over-145-million-to-californias-second-district-through-investing-in-america-agenda-for-cleanup-and-technical-assistance-at-polluted-brownfield-sites 

  90. Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District. (2024). Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal Project. https://humboldtbay.org/humboldt-bay-offshore-wind-heavy-lift-marine-terminal-project-3 

  91. Offshore Wind California. (2022, November). California Offshore Wind Industry Report. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d87dc688ef6cb38a6767f97/t/6376839f7a4e8658b412821c/1668711341831/CA+Offshore+Wind+Industries+Report+17Nov2022.pdf

  92. Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District. (2024). Contact. https://humboldtbay.org/contact 

  93. Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District. (2023, July 26). Notice of Preparation of Draft Environmental Impact Report. https://humboldtbay.org/sites/humboldtbay.org/files/WindTerminal_NOP_2023%200628_0.pdf 

  94. California State Lands Commission. (2023, July). AB 525 Port Readiness Plan: Final Report. https://slcprdwordpressstorage.blob.core.windows.net/wordpressdata/2023/07/AB525-Port-Readiness-Plan_acc.pdf

  95. Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District. (n.d.). Humboldt Bay PLA Clarifications. https://humboldtbay.org/sites/humboldtbay.org/files/Humboldt%20Bay%20PLA%20clarifications.pdf 

  96. Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District. (2023, August 21). Application to Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Opportunity (MPDG) Program Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind MVP (Minimum Viable Port) Project Description. https://humboldtbay.org/sites/humboldtbay.org/files/FY%202023-24%20MPDG%20Humboldt%20Bay%20Offshore%20Wind%20MVP%20Proposal%20Package_reducedfilesize.pdf 

  97. U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. (2023, December 20). Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Future Floating Wind Energy Development Related to 2023 Leased Areas Offshore California. Federal Register. www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/12/20/2023-27930/notice-of-intent-to-prepare-a-programmatic-environmental-impact-statement-for-future-floating-wind

  98. Romero, J. (2023, December 19). BOEM Announces Environmental Review of Future Development of California Offshore Wind Leases. U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. www.boem.gov/newsroom/press-releases/boem-announces-environmental-review-future-development-california-offshore 

  99. Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District. (2020, January 24). A Resolution Committing the District to Developing and Adopting a Green Terminal Strategy and Roadmap for the New Heavy Lift Multipurpose Terminal to Support the Offshore Wind Industry. https://humboldtbay.org/sites/humboldtbay.org/files/Resolution%202024-01%20Adopting%20a%20Green%20Terminal%20Strategy.pdf

  100. Margaronis, S. (2024, May 17). California ports gear up to build offshore wind ports. American Journal of Transportation. www.ajot.com/insights/full/ai-california-ports-gear-up-to-build-offshore-wind-ports 

  101. Music, L. (2024, February 2). Yurok Tribe Hosts Inaugural Tribal Offshore Wind Summit to Empower Tribal Nations. Redheaded Blackbelt. https://kymkemp.com/2024/02/02/yurok-tribe-hosts-inaugural-tribal-offshore-wind-summit-to-empower-tribal-nations/ 

  102. LoCo Staff. (2024, March 8). Yurok Tribal Council Votes to Formally Oppose Floating Offshore Wind Energy Projects Along the North Coast. Lost Coast Outpost. https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2024/mar/8/yurok-tribal-council-votes-formally-oppose-local-f/ 

  103. Crowley Maritime. (2022, October 27). Crowley, Humboldt Bay to Develop and Operate California Wind Terminal. www.crowley.com/news-and-media/press-releases/humboldt-bay-wind/ 

  104. Burns, R. (2024, March 6). Crowley Wind Services’s Partner Agreement With the Harbor District Will Expire Without a Lease, Leaving Future Relationship Unclear. Lost Coast Outpost. https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2024/mar/6/partner-agreement-between-harbor-district-and-crow/

  105. California Independent Systems Operator. (2024, April 1). Draft 2023-2024 Transmission Plan. https://stakeholdercenter.caiso.com/InitiativeDocuments/DRAFT_2023-2024_TransmissionPlan.pdf 

  106. Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District. (2024, April 2.) Request for Qualifications: Redwood Marine Offshore Wind and Heavy Lift Multipurpose Terminal: Final Permitting and 30% Design Project. https://humboldtbay.org/sites/humboldtbay.org/files/HBHRCD_MultipurposeTerminal-RFQ-PIDP23_v4.pdf 

  107. California Independent System Operator. (2024). 2023-2024 Transmission Planning Process. https://stakeholdercenter.caiso.com/RecurringStakeholderProcesses/2023-2024-Transmission-planning-process 

  108. Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District. (2024). Resolution No. 2024-04: A Resolution Affirming the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District’s Commitment to the Prevention of Sex Trafficking and “Missing and Murdered Indigenous People” in Association with the Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Terminal Project. https://humboldtbay.org/sites/humboldtbay.org/files/Resolution%202024-04%20Affiring%20Committment%20to%20the%20Prevention%20of%20Sex%20Trafficking%20and%20MMIP_SIGNED.pdf

  109. Pipa, A.F. (2024, May 14). Will offshore wind be good for Humboldt County, California? Brookings Institution. www.brookings.edu/articles/will-offshore-wind-be-good-for-humboldt-county-california/ 

  110. California Independent Systems Operator. (2024, May 15). 2023-2024 Transmission Plan. www.caiso.com/InitiativeDocuments/REVISEDDRAFT_2023-2024_TransmissionPlan.pdf 

  111. Jared Huffman. (2024, May 20). Rep. Huffman Calls on Admin to Consult with Tribes in Offshore Wind Development. https://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-huffman-calls-on-admin-to-consult-with-tribes-in-offshore-wind-development 

  112. California Energy Commission. (2022, April 10). CEC Adopts Historic California Offshore Wind Goals, Enough to Power Upwards of 25 Million Homes. www.energy.ca.gov/news/2022-08/cec-adopts-historic-california-offshore-wind-goals-enough-power-upwards-25

  113. The White House. (2021, March 29). FACT SHEET: Biden Administration Jumpstarts Offshore Wind Energy Projects to Create Jobs. www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/03/29/fact-sheet-biden-administration-jumpstarts-offshore-wind-energy-projects-to-create-jobs/ 

  114. RWE. (2024). Fisheries and Ocean Users: FAQ. https://canopyoffshorewind.com/Home/fisheries-and-ocean-users#faq

  115. Governor Gavin Newsom. (2022, December 6). California Ramps Up Commitment to Clean Energy With Historic Offshore Wind Sale. www.gov.ca.gov/2022/12/06/california-ramps-up-commitment-to-clean-energy-with-historic-offshore-wind-sale/

  116. Holmlund, Rob. (2023, October 9). SUPPLEMENTAL STAFF REPORT TO: Receive Status Update Regarding Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal Project. Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District. https://humboldtbay.org/sites/humboldtbay.org/files/Supplemental_SR-MarineTerminalProject_StatusReport_231009.pdf

  117. Cart, J. (2024, July 10). California Has Just Approved a New Blueprint for Offshore Wind. The Massive Projects Will Cost Billions. Lost Coast Outpost. https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2024/jul/10/california-has-just-approved-a-new-blueprint-for-o/

  118. Argeo. (2024, June 17). Argeo selected for RWE Canopy offshore wind project in Northern California. https://argeo.no/2024/06/17/argeo-selected-for-rwe-canopy-offshore-wind-project-in-northern-california/

  119. Vanderheiden, I. (2024, July 25). (VIDEO) See What Wind Turbine Assembly Would Look Like on Humboldt Bay, Courtesy of This Presentation From the Harbor District. Lost Coast Outpost. https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2024/jul/25/offshore-wind-simulation/

  120. California Energy Commission. (2024, July 15). Transmission Corridor Evaluation Vol 1 Updated. https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/GetDocument.aspx?tn=257784&DocumentContentId=93688

  121. California Energy Commission. (2024, July 22). Substation Planning Evaluation Report Humboldt Wind Energy Area. https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fefiling.energy.ca.gov%2FGetDocument.aspx%3FDocumentContentId=93800%26tn=257888%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01010190dccc5546-8b6ea7a4-70ae-482e-97f6-3b115fb670d2-000000/ErRKJGF4fS1b6L5hbZyZCI4fOUbxGD2y6hG4SkyWc-s=362

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