FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

January 27, 2021

MEDIA CONTACT: Anthony Victoria

anthony@suntonestrategies.org, 909-637-6369

California Labor, Environmental Justice Coalition Praises President Joe Biden’s Executive Order Supporting Offshore Wind Development

Groups call for California to ensure the state invests in its significant offshore wind potential, saying it will cut pollution, create jobs, and accelerate progress towards 100% clean energy

Sacramento, CA — A California-based coalition of climate, environmental justice, and labor organizations expressed strong support today for President Joe Biden’s executive order directing federal agencies to identify steps to double the United States’ renewable energy production from offshore wind by 2030 - and called for California to capitalize on its offshore wind potential. Investing in offshore wind development, the coalition advocates say, could improve air quality in communities breathing some of the nation’s dirtiest, cut the climate pollution that is fueling extreme weather events across the country, and support a strong economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

“By investing in offshore wind, the United States can improve air quality in front-line communities who have borne the brunt of fossil fuel pollution for far too long,” said Eddie Ahn, executive director at Brightline Defense. “By bringing more renewable energy to California, especially, we can improve health and well-being for communities with elevated poverty rates and high pollution burdens. Offshore wind development can help provide desperately-needed air quality relief.”

In addition to improving air quality, offshore wind development is also a proven job creator— President Biden’s executive order supporting the development of offshore wind resources could create badly-needed jobs in construction, manufacturing and engineering. In California, the development of offshore wind resources is projected to support more than 17,500 jobs by 2045 and inject millions of dollars into local communities.  

“Offshore wind development will create high-quality jobs for working families,” said Jeff Hunerlach, district representative with Operating Engineers Local #3, based in Eureka. “I strongly support President Biden’s decision to accelerate offshore wind development across the United States, a move that could deliver much-needed economic relief to hard-hit communities here in California.”

The development of offshore wind resources could also play a critical role in the fight against climate change. Research in California shows that the development of just five offshore wind sites could provide up to 25% of the state’s electricity needs—lowering climate pollution in low-income communities and communities of color. 

“Last year, communities across the United States were hit hard by climate-fueled droughts, heatwaves, hurricanes and wildfires. Investing in offshore wind development will help stave off the worst impacts of climate change,” said Dan Jacobson, Senior Advisor at Environment California. “By moving quickly to develop offshore wind off the coast of California, we can accelerate our progress towards 100% clean energy.”

The 100% for Offshore Wind coalition includes Operating Engineers Local 3, Brightline Defense, and Environment California.

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