From Jimmy Panetta’s Office:

Dear Community Member, The administration is seeking public input as it considers opportunities for offshore wind development off the central coast of California.  You can submit your public comments to the California Energy Commission (CEC) at this link.  This public comment period ends September 30, 2020. Tips for submitting effective comments can be found here. About the Opportunity for Offshore Wind Development:California is committed to a rapid reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the State’s economy and has established long-term policies to reduce most of the greenhouse gas emissions from the electric sector by 2045.  Developing a diverse portfolio of renewable resources is a key component of California’s approach to building a reliable and cost-effective low-carbon energy system.To this end, in October 2018, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published a call for Information and Nominations (Call) for three areas off the California coast, two of which are offshore the Central Coast: Morro Bay Call Area and Diablo Canyon Call Area.  Both Call Areas, however, were assessed as incompatible with wind energy development by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), as both areas are heavily utilized by multiple DoD components for critical activities. In August 2019, I joined my colleague Congressman Salud Carbajal in convening a meeting with senior officials from the DoD, BOEM, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sanctuaries, and the State of California.  This group has held subsequent meetings to discuss alternative Call Areas.  The group has identified potential areas that include portions of the Morro Bay Call Area as well as an area to the north and to the south of the Morro Bay Call Area. A description and map of these areas is available on the BOEM website.  The group has also discussed an approximately 90 square mile area within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary adjacent to the Morro Bay Call Area.  The area is labeled “Discussion Area” on the map to facilitate stakeholder input and public input. Any call area must go through a very lengthy authorization process before construction can begin, and feedback is solicited to ensure any final proposal includes the perspective of all relevant stakeholders. Public CommentThe State of California and BOEM have initiated a process to receive input on potential offshore wind development.  Consistent with public health guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19, the State and BOEM will conduct remote public outreach meetings.  In addition to receiving public comment during the public workshops, the CEC will collect written comments in the California Offshore Renewable Energy Docket until September 30, 2020. CEC is encouraging use of its electronic commenting system.  When you enter the system, please enter your contact information and a comment title describing the subject of your comment(s).  Comments may be included in the “Comment Text” box or attached in a downloadable, searchable Microsoft® Word (.doc, .docx) or Adobe® Acrobat® (.pdf) file. Maximum file size is 10 MB.Written comments may be submitted by email or US Mail.  Include the docket number, 17- MISC-01, and Offshore Renewable Energy in the subject line and email todocket@energy.ca.gov or mail to: California Energy Commission Docket Unit, MS-4 Re: Docket No. 17-MISC-01 1516 Ninth Street Sacramento, CA 95814-5512  Visual SimulationsMy office has received visual simulation panoramas and, in partnership with State Parks, has installed these displays at the Big Sur Multi-Agency Facility (MAF).  The visual displays will remain installed at the Big Sur MAF until at least August 1, 2020.  There are three visual displays posted outside, and the rest are inside the building in the conference center.The visuals show simulations at fifteen, seventeen, and twenty miles from shore from two viewpoints in Big Sur at different times of day.  I urge you to safely visit the displays to better understand the visual impacts of wind development off the Central Coast.To visit the Big Sur MAF, please navigate to the following address: Multi-Agency Facility, Big Sur Station #1, Big Sur, CA 93920.  Traveling South from Carmel to San Luis Obispo on Highway 1, the MAF is the first left turn after the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park entrance.  The Big Sur MAF is open from 9:00AM-4:00PM daily.I look forward to continuing to engage with you during and after the public comment period and will ensure your views are taken into consideration as I work with federal agencies to move forward on an offshore wind development proposal that works for our communities. Sincerely, Jimmy Panetta United States Representative 20th Congressional District, California Please note that due to House of Representatives information security policies, emails sent to this email account are unable to be monitored.Washington, D.C. Office 212 Cannon HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2861 Fax: (202) 225-6791Salinas Office 142 W Alisal St. Room E116 Salinas, CA 93901 Phone: (831) 424-2229Santa Cruz Office 701 Ocean St. Room 318C Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Phone: (831) 429-1976

My hope is to write a more in-depth article about this next month which will also provide links to obtain more information if one chooses. Personally, I have some concerns about why CA is pursuing this option, rather than encouraging solar.

It is the height of irony that this project is proposed for an area off the coast of the only remaining coastal area in the State of California that has never had commercial power to this day. Most of us have provided our own solar power. This off-shore wind project will use an undetermined amount of fossil fuel just create it in the first place. Further, insufficient data is available regarding the harm it may cause to marine mammals and other migratory species.

Here is a link to the Offshore Power presentation from the BSMAAC meeting.  The video is on Mary Adams Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/SupMaryAdams/videos/713603159454660/?v=713603159454660

The presentation and discussion afterward starts at -2:54:16 and ends at -1:23:29.

A big thank you to Dick Ravich for sending me the link and time stamps.