Environment Associate David McGrath and Energy and Environment Partner David Smith wrote an article for Law360 about the headwinds California faces as the state tries to implement a first-of-its-kind, massive offshore wind energy production industry.
California’s scoping plan, established in 2018, requires the state to produce 20 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2045, a daunting effort that is not operational anywhere in the world. Additionally, California’s A.B. 525 established offshore wind planning goals for 2030 and 2045, as well as strategic planning documentation for offshore wind. In August 2022, the commission set bold targets of 2 GW to 5 GW by 2030, and 25 GW by 2045 — or enough to eventually power 25 million homes.
McGrath and Smith explain the plan faces serious issues with no progress made on the necessary critical infrastructure, regulatory processes, capital fundraising and workforces. However, they said California can learn much from other jurisdictions' challenges and incorporate those lessons into its efforts.
Read the full article here.