Community split on prospect of offshore wind
The Humboldt County community is somewhat split over whether an offshore wind project would benefit the community more than it would harm it.
“Obviously, it’s a lot of unknowns,” said Harrison Ibach, president of the Humboldt Fishermen’s Marketing Association. “And so the unknowns is what creates a lot of opposition, but also at the same time, we as fishermen, we’re not against renewable energy. We’re against permanently losing fishing opportunity.”
At an offshore wind research webinar hosted by Humboldt State University’s Schatz Energy Research Center on Wednesday, members of the community expressed both skepticism and optimism about the prospect of an offshore wind farm. While everyone agreed about the need to address the climate crisis, not everyone was sure it would be done in a way that would benefit the community.
Ibach mentioned that a buoy intended measure weather patterns in the Humboldt Call Area, about 20 miles off the coast, over the next two years was approved with a permit allowing it to be decommissioned in place.
“They’re going to leave behind 11,000 pounds of mooring material,” Ibach said. “So these are our kind of concerns.”
Jennifer Savage, California policy manager with the ocean protection nonprofit Surfrider Foundation, also said renewable energy was important to address the climate crisis and society was far behind where it needed to be in that regard. However, she also expressed skepticism about the viability of an offshore wind project in that particular area because of harsh weather and ocean conditions.
“Are we concerned about the fact that oil companies that are not exactly known for being environmental stewards are largely intertwined with offshore wind companies,” Savage said.
Peninsula residents, in particular, who are often low income and have little access to public transportation or trails, have often suffered the consequences of industry operations in the area, but haven’t often seen the benefits of these projects, Savage said.
“These communities will have to absorb more traffic and more industry,” Savage said. “And what will that mean and how will the county look out for the residents out here?”
Commercial fisherman Mike Anderson pointed out that the Humboldt Call Area, which the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
selected as a potential site for offshore wind, isn’t ideal for fishermen because it’s in the heart of a spawning ground for two types of sole.
“It’ll devastate the trawl industry,” Anderson said. “At least the trawl industry in Northern California and if the trawl industry is devastated in Northern California, that’s what keeps the doors open for Pacific Seafood. And if Pacific Seafood closes their doors, then a lot of fishermen will have no place to sell their fish.”
On the other hand, Jeff Hunerlach, district representative of Operating Engineers Local No. 3, said there wasn’t enough work in Humboldt County for skilled labor and an offshore wind could “create sustainable jobs in construction, manufacturing and installation of the offshore wind floating wind farms.”
“We’d like to see the work done in an environmentally and safe manner for the future of our community,” Hunerlach said.
Not all the positions would be able to be filled by local residents, Hunerlach said, but the community could still derive benefits through partnerships with developers and state building trades groups.
“We can incorporate California-approved apprenticeships, local business enterprise and disadvantaged business enterprise to promote equality across Humboldt County and these projects,” Hunerlach said.
The project wouldn’t just support well-paid jobs with benefits, he said, but also because of the benefits it would provide for the environment.
Jana Ganion, director of sustainability and government affairs at the Blue Lake Rancheria, said constructing innovative renewable energy projects, such as the tribe’s solar microgrids, has conferred a variety of benefits, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing jobs and lowering costs, among other things.
“Humboldt is now internationally recognized for its microgrid expertise,” Ganion said.
The area has always innovated in renewable energy technology and investing in offshore wind could make the area “the first deeply carbon-negative region in the United States.”
The last webinar reflecting on research results and discussing next steps is set for Oct. 19.
For more information or to register for the webinar, visit schatzcenter.org/ wind.
“Are we concerned about the fact that oil companies that are not exactly known for being environmental stewards are largely intertwined with offshore wind companies.” — Jennifer Savage, California policy manager at Surfrider Foundation