BOEM finds no impact from potential wind lease offshore northern California

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has concluded that offshore wind energy leasing activities in the Humboldt wind energy area (WEA) offshore northern California would cause no significant impact.

The WEA off the coast of Humboldt County covers 132,369 acres (53,568 ha) and could unlock up to 1.6 GW of capacity.

BOEM last week said it has completed its environmental assessment (EA) and issued a finding of no significant impact (FONSI). The EA looks into the potential effects of site characterisation and assessment activities resulting from the potential issuance of leases within the WEA.

In 2021, the US outlined plans for BOEM to hold up to seven new offshore lease sales by 2025, with a lease sale for northern and central California anticipated in September 2022. As part of this, the New York Bight offshore wind sale was carried out in February and an auction offshore the Carolinas is planned for May 11.

The US is working to step up offshore wind development in line with president Joe Biden's goal of installing 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.

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