– Offshore Wind Energy Waterfront Facility Improvement Program

AB 209 added Public Resources Code (PRC) sections 25660 – 25666, known as the Clean Energy Programs, including PRC section 25666 which creates the “Program to Support Offshore Wind Infrastructure Improvements.” The general provisions of the Clean Energy Programs in PRC sections 25660 and 25661 apply to PRC section 25666. The Budget Act of 2022, as amended by Assembly Bill 179 (2022), appropriates $45,000,000 to the CEC to administer ($2,250,000) and provide incentives ($42,750,000) to support offshore wind infrastructure improvements and requires that the CEC expend or encumber the funds by June 30, 2025, and make available for liquidation until June 30, 2029. Offshore wind energy developed in federal ocean waters off California’s coast is poised to play an important role in diversifying the state’s portfolio of clean and renewable energy resources as it complements the generation attributes of other clean energy resources. The AB 525 Strategic Plan identifies potential impacts of developing floating offshore wind as well as strategies to address those impacts. The AB 525 Strategic Plan includes recommendations for a range of topic areas, including addressing impacts to underserved communities:   ·       The study, development, and operation of offshore wind related projects should include early, regular, and meaningful community outreach and engagement with underserved communities, nongovernmental organizations, local governments, state entities, and other potentially impacted groups. ·       Offshore wind development and operation should avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to underserved communities, including those in and around ports, and support actions to protect already overburdened communities, such as air and water pollution burdens and considerations for mitigations.   As authorized by PRC section 25666, the CEC can fund offshore wind infrastructure improvements at waterfront facilities within three categories of investment types:   ·       Category I activities support developing individual or regional retrofit concepts and investment plans. ·       Category II activities support final design, engineering, environmental studies and review, and construction of retrofits. ·       Category III activities include cost share funding to an eligible applicant that receives a federal award for purposes consistent with Category I or Category II activities.