Eddie Ahn and Jeff Hunerlach: California could lead the nation in offshore wind energy – Lompoc Record

Standing on the beach, the giant blades of an offshore wind turbine 20 miles off the coast appear miniscule a white pinprick floating on the blue horizon. But up close, the turbines are massive taller, sometimes, than the Washington Monument and with blades that can span the length of a football field.

The impact of these turbines in transitioning California to 100% clean energy could be massive in just seven seconds, the powerful rotation of a single offshore wind turbine can generate enough renewable electricity to power a home for an entire day.

In Europe, thousands of these turbines spin off the coast of 12 different nations, generating more than 22,000 megawatts of clean, pollution-free electricity. U.S. coastal waters, in contrast, are home to only two offshore wind farms, with a grand total of seven turbines, but President Joe Biden seeks to change that. Earlier this year, the new administration issued an executive order calling for a doubling of the nations offshore wind capacity.

Heres why Californias environmental justice experts and advocates from organized labor think California needs to go all in on offshore wind.

In 2021, this multibillion-dollar industry is poised for explosive growth and for the states who move to capitalize on this clean energy resource, the economic and jobs benefits will be enormous. By tapping offshore wind, California could create more than 17,500 good-paying jobs by 2045 in key regions that lack high-skilled job opportunities while also improving air quality in frontline communities and delivering on our promise of 100% clean energy.

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Eddie Ahn and Jeff Hunerlach: California could lead the nation in offshore wind energy - Lompoc Record