The Port of Long Beach announced last week its support for the first-ever offshore wind lease sale on the American West Coast.
The sale will allow the state to move forward on its plan to transition to 90 percent clean energy by 2035 and further the federal government’s commitment to reduce the cost of floating wind energy by 70 percent.
After the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management completed an auction for five lease areas in Humboldt Bay and Morro Bay, the port issued a statement supporting the action. The port said it is in the process of completing a conceptual design of a facility that could support the staging and integration of the largest floating offshore wind turbines in the country. The preliminary conceptual design work is expected to be completed by April 2023.
“Creating resilient and clean energy is critical to the future of our planet, and it’s essential to the Port of Long Beach as we pursue our Clean Air Action Plan goals of zero-emissions cargo handling by 2030 and drayage trucks by 2035,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “As the Green Port, we welcome the sense of urgency which elevates California to the forefront of floating offshore wind innovation and development supporting projects that will generate 4.5 gigawatts of electricity – which translates to providing electric power to more than 1.5 million homes.”
In the future, officials said, the port hopes to be a key player in the green energy market.
“California’s strong economy, educated workforce, and commitment to the environment makes it an exceptional location for offshore wind development,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Sharon L. Weissman. “The Port of Long Beach is eager to play a key role in expanding the use of this green energy source and thanks elected officials in Sacramento and the Biden-Harris Administration for their vision of a cleaner future.”