On October 5, 2022, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released its final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) to the environment for the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area (WEA).
BOEM issued its Morro Bay Wind Energy Area Final Environmental Assessment, Appendices, and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and the Section 106 Consultation: Finding of No Historic Properties Affected. The 240,898 acres (376 square mile) Morro Bay WEA off the coast of San Luis Obispo County could bring up to 3 gigawatts of energy.
The Environmental Assessment assessed the potential impacts from the issuance of leases within the lease area. It considered potential environmental consequences of site characterization activities and site assessment activities. It also considered project easements associated with potential leases and related right-of-way grants for subsea cable corridors in the Morro Bay WEA.
If BOEM decides to conduct a lease sale in the Morro Bay WEA, it will develop an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) before approving the construction of any offshore wind energy facility in the Morro Bay WEA. That EIS will analyze the specific environmental consequences associated with the project, in consultation with Tribes, appropriate federal, state, and local agencies, and stakeholders and the public.
Federal Offshore Wind Goals
BOEM announced its intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Morro Bay WEA on November 12, 2021 and published the draft EA on April 6, 2022. This announcement came shortly after President Joe Biden’s January 2021 executive order on climate change that set the goal of “doubling offshore wind” by 2030. The administration then announced in March 2021 a set of initiatives to increase offshore wind energy and set a national target of 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030. (See Offshore Wind Makes Initial Advancements in California.)
The Biden administration also announced a multi-department effort to support the deployment of 15 gigawatts (GW) of power by 2035 through new floating offshore wind platforms. The focus on floating wind turbines is another step in the efforts bring wind energy off the coast of California, as a steep continental shelf and increased wind speeds make floating turbines the primary technically feasible option along the west coast. (see Biden Administration to Support 15 GW of Floating Offshore Wind.)