California offshore renewables task force launched
October 14 (SeeNews) – The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the state of California on Thursday held the first meeting of the California Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force in Sacramento.
The task force will facilitate coordination between BOEM, local authorities and other federal agencies with respect to potential renewable energy leasing offshore California, BOEM said in a statement. It will also seek to identify areas that may be suitable for research or commercial renewable energy development.
The creation of the task force was requested in May by California governor Jerry Brown.
BOEM said that California is the 14th US coastal state to form a renewable energy task force to support the decision-making process, including on resolving potential conflicts between development and environmental concerns.
“California, with its track record of collaborative planning to bring online land-based renewable energy projects, now sets its eye to the sea to begin early planning on how Pacific offshore winds and waves may one day help the state meet its aggressive renewable energy goal,” said Janice Schneider, Interior Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management.
California has a 50% renewable energy target by 2030.
In California, BOEM has received an unsolicited request for a commercial lease for a 765-MW floating wind farm from Trident Winds LLC. It is currently checking whether there is competitive interest in the area requested.