Organizations submit letter supporting national marine sanctuary and offshore wind in California

Photo by Steven King | TPIN

Dear Mr. Paul Michel,

We represent a coalition of environmental groups, environmental justice groups, and local elected officials standing together in steadfast support of California going big on offshore wind. We work together with shared urgency around the importance of tapping into more clean energy for our cutting-edge state, as well as local, skilled and trained jobs.

We noticed recent debate about the boundary of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, and NOAA’s proposed alternatives to reduce the sanctuary’s size by 2,000 square miles, eliminate connectivity with other national marine sanctuaries, and exclude cultural sites in Morro Bay. These alternatives, that would cut into the size of this critical sanctuary, have been promoted under the justification that the full sanctuary would hinder offshore wind infrastructure development like transmission cables.

In fact, the creation of the sanctuary need not prevent offshore wind from being developed in the proposed Morro Bay Wind Energy Area. There is a precedent for submarine cables for other utility needs being laid inside marine sanctuaries, and NOAA should establish a clear process in the sanctuary regulations for permitting electric transmission cables, for this sanctuary and potentially for other sanctuaries down the line.

We urge you to maintain the original boundaries of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary and to find a way to permit transmission needs for offshore wind within the sanctuary. Moreover, we urge NOAA to determine a process to permit transmission cables essential for offshore wind development without weakening protections for critical ocean habitat.

Ocean protections and offshore wind development need not be at odds with each other. California deserves both a thriving marine ecosystem and a robust offshore wind industry that provides plentiful renewable energy and green jobs throughout the state. NOAA should figure out a way to deliver on both of these priorities going forward.

Sincerely

Laura Deehan

State Director

Environment California

Meghan Sahli-Wells

California Director

Elected Officials Protecting America

Marc Victoria

Senior Statewide Organizer

The Climate Center

Fran Pavley

Environmental Policy Director

USC Schwarzenegger Institute

Ben Smith

Senior Campaigner

Greenpeace USA

Eddie Anh

Executive Director

Brightline Defense