California has passed legislation like AB 1373 that sends strong signals to clean energy advocates and developers alike that the state is ready for offshore wind. The recent AB 525 report commissioned by the California Energy Commission represents the most comprehensive offshore wind road map the state has ever seen.

Offshore wind development must center equity and justice at every level. It is crucial to ensure that frontline communities and Tribes living near proposed offshore wind project sites can actively participate and shape project planning and development. The importance of early and often engagement has been affirmed by various state agencies and uplifted in the California Energy Commission’s 525 Offshore Wind Strategic Plan. It is clear the pivotal and essential role that community engagement will play in catalyzing offshore wind energy in the Golden State.   

Unfortunately, funding limitations may make it difficult or impossible for meaningful engagement to take place. Many community and Tribal leaders have expressed curiosity and interest in engaging in offshore wind planning and development, but have also noted severely lacking the resources to do so. Without meaningful investments in communities’ capacity to engage in the process at various levels, we risk perpetuating legacies of environmental injustice and exploitative development practices. Such harmful practices could solidify public distrust in offshore wind energy, and lead to major project delays or even cancellations. 

AB 2537 aims to address this problem, and ensure that communities can lead the way on offshore wind. It requires a financial contribution from offshore wind entities into a new Offshore Wind Community Capacity Funding Grant Account within the California Energy Commission’s Voluntary Offshore Wind Program. Funding in this account will support local communities and Tribes to engage in activities related to project planning and development. For example, a community or Tribal member will be able to use resources to attend a workshop, respond to a technical comment opportunity, or participate in key decision-making venues. This will pave the way for inclusive and equitable development of offshore wind in California.