Each year, the USF MSEM program hosts a panel of experts to share insights on timely environmental issues. As part of USF Earth Week and San Francisco Climate Week 2024, MSEM brought together experts in offshore wind in California for a thought-provoking discussion on the opportunities and challenges facing industry, policy makers, communities, and ecosystems as we transition to renewable electricity.
Professor Stephanie Siehr, director of the MSEM program, facilitated the conversation with:
- Margaret Daly, PhD – Research Associate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- Rick Umoff, JD (USF Law alumnus) – Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Vineyard Offshore
- Whitney Grover, MS (USF MSEM alumna) – Deputy Director, Golden Gate Bird Alliance
Important context for the discussion:
- The mandate in California is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.
- At the same time that we are shifting electricity to renewables, we are also electrifying more – in transportation, industry, buildings.
- This increased demand puts more pressure on the grid, to ensure ample renewable energy sources and maintain grid stability (e.g., nighttime wind to complement daytime solar).
- Offshore wind plans are central to achieving these objectives, but it is essential we implement these plans in a way that protects natural ecosystems and benefits human communities.
- The California Energy Commission (CEC) goals: 2-5 GW of offshore wind by 2030, 25 GW by 2045.
Insights from each expert’s perspective include:
Offshore wind farms are capital-intensive, complex, long-term projects that represent renewed commitment to major U.S. infrastructure development.
Rick explained that it will take Vineyard Offshore about 10 years to develop, construct, and bring into operation the offshore wind lease it won a little over a year ago – off the coast of Humboldt Bay, at a depth of 3,000 feet. They are making early progress, with the expectation of being connected to the grid in the mid-2030s. To accomplish this goal, however, many pieces need to come together and stay on track, including: procurement (a buyer for the power), transmission (modern and resilient grid infrastructure), ports (large, deepwater, modern facilities), permits (at federal, state, and local levels), and engagement (with local communities – including indigenous tribes and commercial fisheries).
This long lead-time creates opportunities to develop the resource in a way that protects the ecosystem.
Whitney underscored the research that is well underway to protect bird populations as California builds its offshore wind infrastructure. For example, groups such as the Golden Gate Bird Alliance are already using cameras and GPS technologies to better monitor and understand bird behavior around the ocean, as well as buoys to measure ocean currents and weather conditions. Also, because seabirds use vision more so than other birds, there are opportunities to proactively reduce collision risk – by using slow, flashing green or blue lights (rather than always-on red or white lights). She also pointed to a number of areas for future research to better understand and mitigate direct and indirect impact on seabirds, underscored the importance of the Environmental Review process, and reminded the audience that climate change is the most significant and most urgent threat to bird populations – so shifting to renewable energy is critical.
Engaging with communities directly impacted by offshore wind development requires listening to their particular concerns and working to optimize shared benefit.
Margaret spotlighted the fact that many rural, coastal communities in California do not have reliable electricity service today – which can be catastrophic for those who rely on medical devices. And when power goes out, many homes and businesses turn to diesel generators – which negatively impact air quality. Furthermore, tribal communities lose refrigerated salmon and venison – which are used in culturally important ceremonies. So upgrading the grid infrastructure in these communities as part of the transition to renewables – and spurred by offshore wind developments – is beneficial in many ways, including creating an economic boost in communities that have been left behind in recent years. That being said, it’s important to recognize the history of mega-projects that did not in fact serve the interests of local and tribal communities. Learning from past mis-steps, it’s essential, then, that agencies, organizations, and companies involved in these projects prioritize community engagement, social justice, and environmental justice every step of the way.
