Offshore wind farms, port infrastructure, and energy storage facilities are proposed for the SLO Coast. The Sierra Club has worked on offshore wind projects in other regions and our participation will help address potential impacts to the environment and coastal users. We will also be evaluating how this may affect the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.
Offshore Wind
Offshore wind (OSW) energy refers to the use of wind turbines in the ocean to generate electricity. A group of interconnected wind turbines is referred to as a wind farm. As the U.S. seeks to develop renewable, homegrown, and cost-effective energy sources, we’ve seen a surge in proposed offshore wind energy projects. See this presentation for an overview of how OSW projects are constructed and their benefits and impacts. Click this link for detailed research on OSW envirnomental impacts.
As of 2022, there are seven operating offshore wind farms in the U.S., but many new wind energy projects are being proposed, ranging in size from four to 100 turbines each. As this industry expands, it’s essential to understand both the benefits and negative impacts offshore wind farms can have on our marine environment, coastal economies, and recreational use areas.
Put simply, because of the dangerous threats to our coast from climate change, the Sierra Club supports offshore wind energy development if it is done right.
Given that offshore wind is such a new technology, projects are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by Sierra Club’s network of chapters. Sierra Club sent a detailed comment letter about project scoping concerns to the Bureau of Offshore Energy Management (BOEM) in February 2024. Our Chapter provides access to unbiased scientific information to the community to educate them about the possible impacts of both positive and negative impacts of offshore wind development on the environment.
Ensuring Equitable Offshore Wind Solutions
The Chapter promotes the socially and environmentally responsible execution of proposed wind generation projects off the SLO coast. It is our mission to advocate for the best interests of the ocean, wildlife, and local economies during the green energy transition. We work alongside local and regional environmental, community-based groups, and meet with offshore wind companies to ensure that the interests of the affected communities are heard and issues with marine and wildlife are addressed. We are dedicated to acting in accordance with the Sierra Club’s principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
To achieve these goals, we are working to develop educational materials for the public. We are building strong, resilient working relationships with other community groups and organizations to ensure that we are progressing into a green future in a way that lets all voices be heard. We will build our collaboration from the ideals we share, namely, to protect and serve our communities and our environment. We will collaborate using our shared knowledge, expertise, resources, and collective opportunities.
Land Infrastructure for Offshore Wind
- Staging and Integration Ports (S&I Ports) - to receive, stage, store, assemble, load out offshore wind components. This will be in Long Beach area.
- Manufacturing/Fabrication Sites - receive raw materials and create components that are large and can only be transported on water. This will likely be in Long Beach area.
- One to two Berths for OSW maintenance vessels. Possibile location is North T-pier across from smokestacks in Morro Bay.
- Onshoring underneath Morro Rock parking lot & causeway in large water pipes used for defunct Dynegy gas plant hot water outflow
- OSW cables connect to electrical grid at existing PG&E switchyard behind smokestacks
- Transmission through existing high power lines exiting Dynegy switchyard
- Possible administration and training facilities in SLO County
Coastal Energy Storage Projects
Several energy storage projects are being considered in SLO County. Currently, the only one actively seeking a permit is the proposed Vistra Morro Bay Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which would be located on the site of the closed Morro Bay Power Plant, near Morro Rock. The power plant closed in 2014. It would store 600 megawatts. Here is a Vistra presentation prepared for the Chapter in 2024. In June 2021, the Morro Bay City Council approved a binding Memorandum of Agreement with Vistra to move the project forward. Vistra will need to seek approvals from San Luis Obispo County, the California Coastal Commission, and the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).