The Port of Long Beach and Humboldt Bay Harbor District have signed an agreement with the California State Lands Commission to advance efforts to build the needed port infrastructure to facilitate offshore wind development, the Port of Long Beach announced Dec. 18.
The agreement solidifies the two ports’ position as sites for such development, and that all parties intend to move forward in a sustainable way that’s sensitive to affected communities.
The memorandum of understanding lists 11 areas that the state commission and ports intend to “confer, cooperate and exchange information consistent with the AB 525 Strategic Plan,” including staging and integration site planning and permitting, green port strategies and funding, according to the port.
“This important agreement parlays the foundations of offshore wind energy development – environmental protection, equity, public engagement and the economy – into a partnership that leads the way toward a clean energy future,” State Controller and Lands Commission Chair Malia Cohen said in a statement.
The Port of Long Beach is proposing development of the $4.7 billion “Pier Wind” project, a terminal for supporting the assembly of floating offshore wind turbines. If approved, project construction could begin as early as 2027, with the first 200 acres completed by 2031 and full completion by 2035, according to the POLB.
“We thank the State Lands Commission for focusing on a multi-port strategy that allows the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Humboldt to serve as turbine assembly sites in California’s floating offshore wind industry,” Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero said.
“This agreement, combined with the climate bond recently approved by California voters and the state’s commitment to procure up to 7.6 gigawatts of energy from offshore wind by 2035, gives the industry and California ports the confidence to invest in Long Beach’s Pier Wind and other complementary projects.”
