Watch: Does SLO County have what it takes to support offshore wind energy? Live Q&A

Mackenzie Shuman
Updated ·2 min read

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After an auction in December, three companies bid a collective $425.6 million to lease a total of 376 square miles of the Pacific Ocean off San Luis Obispo County’s coast for floating offshore wind energy development.

The area, about 20 miles off the coast of San Simeon and Cambria, could generate about 6 gigawatts of electricity at peak production, according to the three entities who won the leases: Central California Offshore Wind, Equinor Wind US and Invenergy California Offshore.

The massive floating wind energy developments will require certain port infrastructure to support the various ships servicing crews, materials and equipment. And many residents have questions, including:

  • Does SLO County have what it takes to support this new energy industry along its coast?

  • How will it tie into the statewide port infrastructure?

  • What are the environmental impacts, economic costs and benefits, and regulatory hurdles involved with building out the county’s port infrastructure?

A live discussion was held on May 4, at Morro Bay High School’s auditorium. The panelists were:

  • John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, California state senator

  • Jennifer Mattox, California State Lands Commission staff member

  • Joshua Boswell, REACH Central Coast Vice President of Policy and Economic Development

Tribune reporter Mackenzie Shuman (@MackenzieShuman) moderated the discussion.

Panelists

John Laird was elected to the California state Senate in 2020 to represent District 17 after serving as secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency under Gov. Jerry Brown.
John Laird was elected to the California state Senate in 2020 to represent District 17 after serving as secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency under Gov. Jerry Brown.

John Laird was elected to the California state Senate in 2020 to represent District 17 after serving as secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency under Gov. Jerry Brown.

Jennifer Mattox held a 30-year career as a scientist with the state of California. She serves as the manager of the State Lands Commission’s Climate Adaptation and Special Initiatives team.
Jennifer Mattox held a 30-year career as a scientist with the state of California. She serves as the manager of the State Lands Commission’s Climate Adaptation and Special Initiatives team.

Jennifer Mattox held a 30-year career as a scientist with the state of California. She serves as the manager of the California State Lands Commission’s Climate Adaptation and Special Initiatives team.

Joshua Boswell
Joshua Boswell

Joshua Boswell is the Vice President of Policy and Economic Development for REACH Central Coast, a nonprofit economic development engine working to create high-quality jobs across the Central Coast.

Mackenzie Shuman primarily writes about SLO County education and the environment for The Tribune. 
Mackenzie Shuman primarily writes about SLO County education and the environment for The Tribune.

Mackenzie Shuman primarily writes about the environment and SLO County education for The Tribune. Read her stories here.