Offshore California Windfarms now closer to reality - BOEM announces two lease sales

Alternative energy enthusiasts were heartened by the announcement today by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) of a proposed sale of offshore wind energy leases in two separate areas offshore of the Central and Northern California coasts. 

BOEM, part of the federal Department of the Interior, said the two areas will be located  on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (WEA) and Morro Bay WEA. 

Photo Credit: BOEM

The two WEAs cover approximately 373,268 acres (583 square miles) and can potentially provide enough offshore wind generated electricity for over 1.5 million homes - that's about 4.5 gigawatts of power - in addition to creating new jobs related to the projects.

BOEM intends to offer multiple lease areas in each WEA via simultaneous auctions using a multiple-factor bidding auction format.

Awarding of the bids will not constitute approval, however - each project will be subject to environmental, technical, and public reviews before BOEM gives final authorization to approve.

More information on this proposal may be found here - BOEM California Activities