Section 25992 - Legislative findings and declarationsThe Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The state is committed to the responsible development of wind energy in federal ocean waters off the coast of California and supporting state agencies' and other entities' capacity needs in the time period between wind energy areas being leased and lessees submitting construction and operation plans. Under the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1451 et seq.), the California Coastal Commission reviews the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management consistency determinations for proposed lease sales in federal waters, and consistency certifications for proposed wind development projects, to determine if those activities are consistent with the federally approved California Coastal Management Program. (b)Offshore wind should be developed in a manner that protects coastal and marine ecosystems. The state should use its authority to ensure, as feasible, both of the following:(1)Avoidance, minimization, and mitigation of significant adverse impacts.(2)Monitoring and adaptive management for offshore wind projects and their associated infrastructure.(c)Offshore wind lessees should be encouraged, and required when appropriate, to coordinate and provide relevant survey and monitoring data, implement any relevant best practices or guidelines, assist with identification of research gaps, and develop strategies for monitoring and adaptive management.(d)Offshore wind lessees engagement with tribal governments and potentially affected communities ensures those governments and communities are part of planning and project-specific decisionmaking related to offshore wind activities, and impacts affecting those governments and communities caused by offshore wind activities are identified and addressed.(e)Investment in offshore wind energy development can offer career pathways and workforce training in clean energy development. Offshore wind energy will provide additional industrial work opportunities and should provide apprenticeship opportunities for a diverse labor pool, including for local communities experiencing high unemployment, through prioritization of local hiring.(f)Funding would help accelerate the ability of state agencies to coordinate, conduct needed studies, and otherwise prepare for future permitting and review activities related to offshore wind development, including ancillary permitting, such as port and waterfront facility upgrades and other associated infrastructure.Ca. Pub. Res. Code § 25992
Added by Stats 2022 ch 251 (AB 209),s 20, eff. 9/6/2022.