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The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the federal agency in charge of environmental review for offshore wind projects in the U.S. under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), uses an unusual three-part process for environmental review.

Our coastal marine ecosystems are dependent upon a phenomenon known as coastal upwelling, which occurs when strong, consistent northwesterly winds constantly push surface level coastal water offshore that is then replaced by much cooler and more nutrient-dense deep water. Offshore wind turbines work by converting kinetic wind energy into electricity. There is, therefore, an inherent loss of kinetic wind energy from the ecosystem due to the operation of wind turbines.

While floating offshore wind turbines are generally better suited to seismically active locations compared to fixed-bottom offshore wind turbines because of generally greater resilience against the effects of ground shaking, floating offshore infrastructure, let alone its onshore companions, are not at all immune to potential adverse impacts from earthquakes and other geological hazards.

Potential impacts of offshore wind energy development and operation on whales, seals, and other marine mammals include injury due to physical interactions with associated vessel traffic, entanglement, response to increased underwater noise, displacement from foraging or migratory habitat, and impacts associated with port development and expansion. The potential impacts on different species will vary depending on the location and operation status of OSW development and operat

The perspectives of Tribal Nations on offshore wind are not monolithic, and vary by Tribal Government.

Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are an alternative design to more conventional horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs). As their name suggests, VAWTs spin on a vertical axis instead of a horizontal axis. Some of the advantages of VAWTs include that they can operate no matter which direction the wind is blowing, and are quieter than HAWTs.

Floating offshore wind turbine platforms float using buoyancy, the same way large ships float. They are also specifically designed to remain upright during storms, waves, and other events. Floating turbine platforms are not floating freely in the ocean – rather, they are anchored to the seafloor via mooring lines and anchors.

Based on the other projects currently planned around the world, each wind turbine would likely stand (or float) at least 900 feet above the ocean’s surface (about 90 stories, or almost as tall as the Eiffel Tower) with a rotor diameter of about 775 feet and a swept area of more than 470,000 square feet (the size of more than eight American football fields).

Building and operating the Humboldt offshore wind farm would require many different kinds of workers.

Major dredging, light, noise, and air pollution, aquaculture and recreation threats, and a heavy increase in traffic are all risks that threaten Humboldt Bay/Wigi during the construction and operation of the offshore wind farm and terminal.

All forms of energy production have associated environmental impacts, and offshore wind energy is no different. For all environmental impacts, our goal is to avoid, minimize, and mitigate (AMM) them to the extent possible: first by fully understanding them, and then by advocating for avoiding project impacts, minimizing impacts that may occur, and mitigating impacts that do occur — in that order.

Wind energy is particularly helpful for reducing greenhouse gas emissions because it complements solar energy.

Any offshore wind turbines built in the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (WEA) would be more than 20 miles from shore. Once installed in the offshore WEA, any sight of turbines will be obscured by coastal haze on most days, and, on very clear days, the turbines may be visible on the horizon, particularly from high points like Trinidad Head. On clear nights, blinking red lights placed on top of the turbines to keep aircraft safe may be visible.

If the proposed Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal is constructed and becomes operational, wind turbines would be very visible within Wigi/Humboldt Bay. The wind turbines could be upwards of 900 feet tall, and would be constructed on the Samoa Peninsula north of the Samoa Pulp Mill and south of the Samoa Bridge.

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) Crisis is an ongoing public health crisis facing Indigenous People across the United States.

Relative to onshore and near-shore habitats, there are currently thought to be fewer bird and bat species that live in offshore ocean waters, and studies are underway to better understand use of the area and potential risks associated with offshore wind.