2023 California Code › Public Resources Code - PRC › DIVISION 15 - ENERGY CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT › CHAPTER 14 - Offshore Wind Generation › Section 25991.8.

25991.8. (a) (1) The commission, in consultation with the State Lands Commission, the Ocean Protection Council, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the Office of Planning and Research, and the California Coastal Commission, shall develop a second-phase plan and strategy for seaport readiness that builds upon the recommendations and alternatives in the strategic plan for offshore wind energy developments developed pursuant to Sections 25991 and 25991.3.
(2) (A) The commission shall make a draft report, with recommendations for implementation of a port development strategy, available for public review and comment for at least 60 days and shall submit a final report on its recommendations for a seaport readiness strategy to the Governor and the Legislature on or before December 31, 2026.
(B) The plan submitted to the Legislature pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(b) For purposes of the second-phase plan described in subdivision (a), the commission shall do all of the following:
(1) Identify feasible seaport locations for offshore wind turbine assembly to serve Central Coast and North Coast offshore wind energy projects.
(2) Recommend and prioritize only port alternatives where site control can be obtained by a port authority or state agency within five years.
(3) Recommend and prioritize alternatives only with sufficient landside and water acreage or capacity to support maximum in-state assembly and manufacturing of offshore wind energy components.
(4) Recommend and prioritize port locations that minimize impacts to cultural and natural resources, including the marine and onshore environments, sensitive species, and habitats.
(5) Identify and prioritize ports that maximize in-state workforce opportunities, including workforce opportunities for low-income and environmental justice communities.
(6) Consider transportation and other infrastructure investments needed to develop the identified seaports and waterfront facilities needed for offshore wind energy activities.
(7) Collaborate with tribal governments to develop appropriate seaport siting criteria that minimize adverse impacts to natural and cultural resources and maximize economic and workforce benefits to the tribal governments.
(8) Consult with key stakeholders, including, but not limited to, environmental organizations, environmental justice organizations, fisheries groups, labor unions, electric ratepayer advocates, offshore wind energy developers, oceangoing vessel operators, and related industry stakeholders, local governments and public port authorities, and other ocean users, to develop appropriate seaport siting criteria that minimize adverse impacts to cultural and natural resources, minimize adverse impacts to local communities, maximize local and in-state economic and workforce benefits, incorporate equity and environmental justice in seaport development, minimize impacts to California electric ratepayers, and avoid delays in the seaport entitlement process.
(9) Collaborate with the oceangoing vessel operator and commercial maritime industry to identify appropriate ocean spatial planning policies and siting criteria that minimize adverse impacts to vessel navigation and maximize maritime safety. The commission shall seek to coordinate and collaborate with the United States Coast Guard for purposes of this paragraph on matters that fall within the Coast Guard’s authority and jurisdiction.
(10) Assess the estimated cost and identify potential funding and financing strategies for necessary port development and redevelopment that support offshore wind energy activities, including the potential to leverage federal funding.
(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 314, Sec. 3. (AB 3) Effective January 1, 2024. Repealed as of January 1, 2031, pursuant to Sec. 25991.10.)