For Immediate Release

Friday, May 14, 2021

Contacts:

Laura Deehan, ldeehan@environmentcalifornia.org, 415 420 4710

Eddie Ahn, eddie@brightlinedefense.org, 415-531- 7573

Jeff Hunerlach,  jhunerlach@oe3.org, (530) 966-1204

 Statements: Gov. Newsom makes big investment in offshore wind

Budget includes funding to tap into plentiful clean energy off the California coast. 

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s just-announced revised budget includes big investments in offshore wind. The state has a record $76 billion in surplus revenues, which is allowing the governor to make major investments in such state’s priorities. 

The plan includes $20 million for environmentally responsible offshore wind. The funding is part of Gov. Newsom’s budget proposal and still needs to be approved by the legislature. 

The Offshore Wind Now coalition, which is comprised of Environment California, Brightline Defense and Operating Engineers Local 3 released the following statements:

“Investing in offshore wind today is smart policy. As we work to emerge from this pandemic, offshore wind offers pathways for frontline communities to economic recovery, local jobs, and cleaner air,” Brightline Defense’s Eddie Ahn said. “Given the technology’s need for skilled labor, California offshore wind will bring both new short-term and long-term investments in the state’s economy and workforce.”

 “There is a huge need for more work in Humboldt County,” Operating Engineers Local 3’s Jeff Hunerlach said.  “Offshore wind promises more opportunities for long-term careers with prevailing-wage requirements, meaning these jobs will improve the lives of the local workforce”

“As California faces a severe drought and the threat of more severe wildfires, the time for investing in climate solutions is today, not years in the future,,” Environment California State Director Laura Deehan said. “The governor’s budget will mean we can start tapping into this plentiful clean energy resource now and create the clean energy we need.” 

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