Blog: OSW Webinar

Last month, we hosted a webinar on California Offshore Wind, where we met with leaders from Turn Forward, Lake Rancheria Tribe, and Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas (CFROG), to reflect on the resiliency of states like California to continue climate and equity leadership!

Despite the unprecedented federal attacks, momentum for renewable energy like offshore wind continues with recent stories of hope, challenges to disinformation,  and ongoing opportunities for California. Over 100 registered individuals from throughout the state and across government, clean energy, and philanthropy joined us for this timely conversation on offshore wind. 

ICYMI Highlights: 

• We heard from Catherine Belmán Goggins, Policy Director at Turn Forward, who gave a breakdown of recent federal attacks to U.S. offshore wind development (e.g., ending future OSW leasing, slowing down reviews, and halting permit approvals), while highlighting the ways California is poised to weather this storm. 

• Brightline’s Senior Policy Manager, Alexis Sutterman, walked us through recent wins for offshore wind from California’s legislative session, including the millions invested from Prop 4 to upgrade ports, and key legislation to support community capacity building AB 1417 and develop workforce and supply chain SB 787.

• Heidi Moore-Guynup, Director of Tribal and Government Affairs, shared how the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe is engaging with regulatory agencies and elected officials to ensure that offshore wind development protects cultural resources, offsets carbon emissions, and benefits tribes and communities for generations to come. 

• Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas (CFROG)’s Program Manager Abrah Steward provided powerful testimonies of how CFROG is challenging skepticism and dis/misinformation head-on through direct community engagement and innovative workforce training across the tri-counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. 

Resources: If you are looking for more information on the benefits of offshore wind and related energy infrastructure, be sure to take advantage of the resources below.

• Offshore Wind: A Path Forward (2023) – Empowering Communities In Pacific Offshore Wind Development (Brightline Defense)

• Rewiring for Justice (2025): How California Can Power Equitable Transmission (Brightline Defense)

• North Coast: Frequently Asked Questions about Offshore Wind (Environmental Protection Information Center, Core Hub, Blue Lake Rancheria, Humboldt Waterkeeper) 

Important Update:

You may have heard the news, but as of October 7, 2025, AB 1417 has been signed into law by Governor Newsom. Thank you to all of our partners for your support turning this dream into reality.

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