Windfloat Atlantic off the coast of Portugal is the first floating wind farm installed in continental Europe. That type of floating technology is driving a push for new offshore wind development off the United States’ Pacific coast. Credit Hugo Amaral / SOPA Images / PEW

Offshore wind

Offshore wind on the Pacific coast

Planning and development of offshore wind (OSW) energy generation in United States waters has accelerated greatly as a result of Executive Order 14008Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, issued January 27, 2021, and a related Administration action to deploy 30 Gigawatts of OSW energy by 2030. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is the lead Federal agency responsible for offshore energy exploration and development in the U.S. and has embarked on an ambitious effort to identify areas suitable for OSW development, and to auction off the rights to develop specific areas.  The Council has engaged closely with BOEM to identify and minimize any potential impacts to fishing activities, habitats (including essential fish habitat), and coastal communities.  On the West Coast, BOEM has identified potential OSW areas off California and Oregon. 

Windfloat Atlantic off the coast of Portugal is the first floating wind farm installed in continental Europe. That type of floating technology is driving a push for new offshore wind development off the United States’ Pacific coast. Credit Hugo Amaral / SOPA Images / PEW

Upcoming events
(not hosted by the Council)

  • The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Protected Areas Center and Open Communications for the Ocean are hosting a webinar, “Developing Offshore Wind in US Waters Part 1: The Planning and Regulatory Framework”, from 10:00-11:00am MDT (4:00-5:00pm UTC) on 19 July 2023. Register here.
  • As part of its Learning from the Experts series, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is hosting a webinar, “Environmental Data Management and Offshore Wind”, from 1:00-2:00pm EDT (5:00-6:00pm UTC) on 19 July 2023. Register here.

In the news

Meeting Recordings

Previous Council Meeting

November Council meeting

Nov 1–8, 2023

Garden Grove, CA

Hyatt Regency Orange County 11999 Harbor Blvd. Garden Grove, CA 92840 Phone: 714-750-1234

Upcoming Council Meeting

March Council meeting

Mar 5–11, 2024

Various

The Council contracts with hotels two to three years in advance.

Events

Picture of a wind turbine on the ground in shipping yard.

Contacts

Kerry Griffin
503-820-2409
kerry.griffin@noaa.gov