FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Allison MacMunn
allison@sunstonestrategies.org, 312.622.4004
California Legislature sends bill to accelerate offshore development to Governor Newsom
Labor, environmental justice, climate and conservation groups applauded the bill’s passage; called for Governor Newsom to sign AB 525 into law
Sacramento, CA—In a landmark step towards offshore wind development in California, the state legislature voted last night to pass a bill directing state regulators to set a target for offshore wind energy. AB 525—which is supported by a coalition of labor, environmental justice, and environmental advocates—now heads to the Governor’s desk to await signature.
“Investing in offshore wind energy will help California deliver cleaner air and local jobs to frontline communities who suffer most from pollution. Lawmakers took a key step towards putting California on a path to development in passing AB 525, and we hope that Governor Newsom will move swiftly to sign this clean energy bill into law,” said Eddie Ahn, executive director at Brightline Defense.
The bill comes as California’s electricity grid faces major challenges this summer amidst climate-fueled heat waves and drought. Experts point to offshore wind as a key clean energy resource that can deliver a surge of electricity to the grid in the high-demand evening hours, boosting grid resilience and reliability, while cutting climate and air pollution.
“Investing in offshore wind can support the state of California in building an electricity grid that is resilient, reliable, and renewable in the face of climate impacts like heat waves and drought. In passing California’s offshore wind bill, the legislature put our state on a path to development. The resilience, air quality, and climate benefits will be enormous,” said Elizabeth Nickerson, Clean Energy Associate, Environment California.
A recent report from the Schwarzenegger Institute found that developing 10 gigawatts of offshore wind would contribute toward total revenue cost savings of approximately $1 billion, and would also create up to 65,000 jobs during the construction phases and up to 4,500 operation and maintenance jobs for the entire lifetime of the facilities.
“A state pummeled by wildfires, drought and extreme heat cannot thrive. Investing in offshore wind energy will reduce the impacts of climate change while producing thousands of jobs in communities that currently lack high quality opportunities. We hope Governor Newsom will capitalize on this economic opportunity by signing California’s offshore wind bill into law,” said Jeff Hunerlach, district representative at Operating Engineers Humboldt County.
Earlier this year, the state of California and the federal government signed a historic agreement to open up California coastal waters to offshore wind development. Offshore wind development is a key part of California’s most cost-effective pathway to 100% clean energy.
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