By Sage Alexander, Times-Standard, Eureka, Calif. The Tribune Content Agency
Come Jan. 20, 2025, the Donald Trump administration will re-enter the White House - a president-elect who personally dislikes offshore wind. While it's too early to know what could change in two months, those who are looking at port development and offshore wind in Humboldt County are watching closely.
A central piece to the Biden administration has been funneling billions of dollars toward renewable energy infrastructure, in particular through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The massive financial investments include a January grant when Humboldt Bay's Harbor, Recreation and Conservation district was awarded a mind-boggling $426 million for a port terminal to assemble wind turbines for the West Coast. The historic influx has both sparked dreams of a return of economic vitality and opposition to the inevitable changes and coastal impact from the white giants - turbines are roughly as tall as the Eiffel Tower - two lease areas are about 20 miles offshore from the Humboldt County Coast.
But this train of federal investment could change - Trump has long railed against offshore wind, dating back to his qualms over a view from his golf resort in Scotland. In May, Trump told supporters in New Jersey, a center of opposition against offshore wind, his administration would "make sure that ends on day one." In September, he promised to rescind any unspent funds under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Congressman Jared Huffman said right now, it's too soon to say what will happen to Humboldt's project after Biden leaves office.
"There are definitely reasons to be concerned, and those who want to see projects like this move forward need to spend the next two months trying to lock in as much of the process as possible," he said.
He said it's an open question whether the incoming Congress could repeal the clean infrastructure and energy programs.
In this week's election, the Senate gained a slim Republican majority and as of Friday, the House has yet to be called, but Republicans were leading.
Jared Huffman
"I hope that even with this seat change, politically, the incredible economic and environmental benefits of a project like this would be supported by the next administration. It's just the best thing to come along for our region in decades, and it would be such a tragedy to see it undermined or stopped because of politics," said Huffman.
While California's lease areas were auctioned off in 2022, other pieces of getting wind energy in, ranging from transmission and distribution lines, to ports and other infrastructure, still need funding. And now, a federal administration is coming that appears to be less inclined to invest billions in renewable energy projects.
One peek into what might be on the minds of the new federal officials is to dig around in Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation's 900-plus page blueprint made by Trump associates for the first year of his presidency. The document calls for the end of subsidies for green energy and the repeal of bills like the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, while railing on Biden-era policies that fund clean technology in the name of climate change.
But the architects are simultaneously concerned about American energy independence and call for the next administration to approach an "all of the above" energy policy.
When reached about what the new administration could mean, Chris Mikkelsen, executive director of the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation wrote in an email: "Is it possible for the administration to stall or delay additional lease areas? Yes. However, it will likely be only a delay as the administration cannot change the simple fact that we desperately need new, clean energy sources, and wind fills this need," he said.
He noted the port in Humboldt Bay is designed to be multi-use and can serve other users.
"We recognize that the wind industry and our proposed project are of state and national significance. The state and federal governments are contributing substantial research and funding to advance energy goals and reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. No matter the administration, we must reach our goals to sustain ourselves and the future of those who will come after us," he said in the email.
Proposed offshore wind energy site 21 miles west of Humboldt Bay. (Bureau of Ocean Energy - Contributed)
The harbor district does plan to discuss the Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Multipurpose Marine Terminal at a public meeting this week.
California, which aims to reach a zero-carbon grid by 2040 is looking to deploy 5 gigawatts of wind energy by 2030. Two years ago, the Biden Administration announced they wanted 30 gigawatts of wind energy by 2030.
Mikkelsen also pointed out Elon Musk is one of Trump's leading supporters - Trump said at a rally in August that Musk had changed the president-elect's views on electric cars, after the CEO of electric vehicle company Tesla endorsed him.
Sage Alexander can be reached at 707-441-0504.