Around Morro Bay: Offshore wind update / battery storage out of juice / more

July 10,2020-

Morro Bay and its fishermen knock plans to move wind turbines closer to shore

Plans to alter the “call area” for offshore wind projects on the Central Coast to accommodate objections by the Navy now has its detractors that include the Morro Bay fishermen and the City of Morro Bay as well.

SEE COMPANION STORY IN ENERGY SECTION

The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is weighing modifying the area boundaries where they would accept wind power projects possibly closer to the coast. Wind power companies in the past have suggested they could set up 30-plus miles off the Morro Bay coast. But now there is discussion of sites as little as 15 to 20 miles offshore to meet Navy objections.

The idea was discussed at a webinar organized by a task force on offshore wind formed by Congressman Salud Carbajal and members of the California Energy Commission on July 1. The internet event was necessary due to COVID and replaced a planned public meeting in Morro Bay.

Carbajal helped form the task force as Department of Defense officials agreed to discuss their objections to offshore wind turbines in areas of the Pacific they consider key for their maneuvers. BOEM has jurisdictions over potential leases of federal waters beyond 3 miles out. On August 21, 2019, Congressman Carbajal hosted a meeting with senior officials from DoD, BOEM, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Sanctuaries), the CEC, and state and locally elected representatives to discuss finding a solution that accommodates a viable offshore wind industry on the Central Coast and meets the mission of DoD to test, train and operate.

Now, almost a year later,a proposal to modify the call areas off Morro Bay,closer to shore – has been put forth.

 

Bait & Switch?

Critical of the idea at the webinar was Tom Hafer, president of the 90-member Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Organization who complained the new proposal amounted to “bait and switch.” Originally Castle Wind, one of the proposed developers, suggested they would ask for a site for up to 100 turbines some 30 miles off the coast.They spent months huddling with the Morro Bay fishing industry well as the city and got them to agree to their idea. A memo of understanding was signed.

The new task force proposal being discussed would move the 900ft turbines into waters they use for fishing. “This is going to screw up fishing. This is going to change the migratory habits of a lot of fish out there — albacore, salmon, black cod. Who knows what these are going to do?” Hafer fears the idea that the wind industry wants more territory in the future as well.

“We have worries that the noise and electrolysis will greatly affect our fisheries in those areas including; rockfish, spot prawns, black cod, salmon, albacore, and wet fish. What studies have been done that will absolutely prove that this will not cause these fisheries to avoid this area? Making it a ‘dead zone’. Especially if it is as big as the wind industry desires.”

“You need to talk to the fishermen,” Hafer maintains. A member of the task force agreed to meet with Hafer as they take comments on the idea until at least July 31.

Also critical of moving wind turbines closer to shore was Mayor John Headding of Morro Bay who complained that a change of plans would require BOEM to re-issue a new call – delaying the project a year or more. Another idea to utilize a portion of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary for power generation would be “disastrous ” he suggested.With Diablo Canyon closing soon the region needs the economic stimulus now, he said.

Morro Bay Harbor Director Eric Endersby says he believes the Navy is amenable to some portion of the existing call location but that this issue remains”a moving target.” The task force has already taken the Diablo Canyon call area off the table at the request of the Navy allowing the 25 mile wide Morro Bay site and now some adjacent areas closer to shore,some overlapping the existing Morro Bay site.

“I can’t see why the Navy claims thousands of miles of the eastern Pacific and won’t allow wind energy in one little box on the map.”Endersaby adds that moving the site nearer to the shore would be in more shallow fishing waters.

The industry had hoped the leasing process would go forward in 2021 after more than 4 years of talking about it.

Grubby fingers

Moving the project closer to land was not a popular idea among others as well including Big Sur residents, one arguing “Leave Big Sur alone. It’s beautifully untouched by your energy-grubby fingers. The public should have a say!”  A Hearst Castle representative also offered concerns about the “viewshed.”

The workshop included a visual simulation of how the tall turbines would look if sited 15 or 17 to 20 miles out from several vantage points  including Valencia Peak in Montana de Oro. The visual impact appeared to be minimal but readers can judge for themselves at Offshore Working Group Visual Simulations, Central California .

One late breaking bit of news that could impact all this. Last week, the House Armed Services Committee passed H.R. 6395, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. The bill includes an amendment by Congressman Carbajal addressing the Navy’s opposition to offshore wind development.  The measure is said to make improvements to Department of Defense assessment procedures for wind energy projects

Other Morro Bay news

Morro Bay planning official Scot Graham says Vistra, who own the shuttered power plant in town has “pulled their application” for a large battery store project next to the vacant building.”We don’t know what issues they have.We have been negotiating with them over right of way on another matter” says Graham. He adds “I wouldn’t be surprised if they reapplied  since they are doing similar energy storage projects  in other locations.”

O’Reilly Auto Parts has applied for tenant improvements at the former Dollar Tree location at 710 Quintana after the bargain store moved down the block. O’Reilly, the number three chain in sales, operates more than 5,400 stores in 47 states.

Plans for a 35-unit affordable housing complex at 405 Atascadero Rd in Morro Bay are in limbo after the approval of the Housing Authority of SLO project by the planning commission. The project has been appealed to the city council at their July 14 meeting