California made headlines when it announced an agreement with the federal government to open up parts of the coast to offshore wind in May. The announcement targets federal waters off the coast of Morro Bay and Humboldt in Northern California, where experts say floating wind turbines could provide some 4.6 gigawatts of energy, enough to power 1.6 million homes. The plan to develop wind energy at these two sites has generated excitement for its potential to help both the state and federal government reach clean energy goals, and to bring benefits to communities by providing clean energy jobs and reducing fossil fuel pollution. Environmental activists caution, however, that the state must proceed responsibly to mitigate risks to ocean ecosystems.
Terra Verde host and Earth Island Journal Managing Editor Zoe Loftus-Farren discusses the potential of offshore wind off the California coast, as well as the risks that require mitigation, with Sandy Aylesworth, senior oceans advocate with the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Eddie Ahn, executive director of Brightline Defense.