This past week, the California Energy Commission (CEC) released a report establishing offshore wind goals. Newly adopted goals plan for 3,000-5,000 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind energy by 2030 and increase that projection to 25,000 MW by 2045. The report estimates that this will be enough electricity to power up to 25 million homes. 

Additionally, the Inflation Reduction Act recently signed into law by President Joe Biden includes $369 billion in energy and climate investments and will create an estimated 9 million jobs over the next 10 years. Further, the bill will reduce emissions by up to 40% by 2030, support economic and racial justice programs, and create good-paying, union jobs across the nation. 

The BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Vice President of State Affairs JB Tengco: 

“California is ambitious and ready to lead and unleash the future of clean energy and electricity. The bold goals released by California’s Energy Commission further commit the state to climate action and job creation by opening our coasts to offshore wind—a critical tool moving forward as we expand our clean energy portfolio to achieve 100% clean electricity and carbon neutrality by 2050.

“Actions like these are perfectly in accordance with the newly signed Inflation Reduction Act, which provides federal dollars to invest and turbocharge clean energy projects like offshore wind development across the nation. California is signaling that they are eager to act on clean energy and job creation legislation to meet the state’s growing energy and workforce demands. We look forward to the Commission releasing further reports highlighting the economic potential that offshore wind will bring into the state.”