Today the California Energy Commission had planned to adopt their draft goal for 3 GW of offshore wind by 2030 and 10-15GW by 2045, with a potential for going to 20GW by 2050. We have been organizing to push for an even more ambitious goal of 20GW by 2045. We turned out to the meeting with a blown up copy of the full page ad we ran in the SF Chronicle this week, turned in comments from over 1300 Californians and spoke passionately about why we need to go even bigger. The commission took the item off the consent agenda and we are hopeful this indicates their willingness to up the goal!
Here is my testimony:
Thankyou Chairman Hochschild and Commissioners.
My name is Laura Deehan, state director for Environment California. We are a statewide environmental advocacy organization that stands up for clean air, clean water, open spaces, wildlife and a livable planet
We are also one of the founding members of the Offshore Wind Now coalition representing environmental, environmental justice, labor, energy, local officials and businesses in California.
Today I’m standing up in support of going big on offshore wind. We so appreciate the leadership of the CEC to think big with the draft report. And we are urging you to go even bigger!
Offshore wind is an incredible clean energy resource. A recent NREL report indicates over 200 GW is technical possible. California has an opportunity to tap into this resource with cutting edge technology innovations while protecting wildlife and supporting communities. It starts with visionary leadership, ambitious goal setting to guide the strategic planning and stakeholder coordination.
I am also sharing public comment from over 1300 Californians who join me in support of California going big on offshore wind with at least 5GW by 2030 and 20GW by 2045. I also want to share the letter from the offshore wind now coalition standing together in support of even more ambitious goal setting now to make sure California has a clean, renewable, resilient energy future and avoids dependence on fossil fuels any longer than we have to.
Thankyou!
