Broad Coalition Celebrates Sen. Gonzalez as 2025 Offshore Wind Champion
November 18, 2025
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Broad Coalition Celebrates Sen. Gonzalez as 2025 Offshore Wind Champion
Environmental justice, port, labor, industry, and conservation groups uplift the Senator’s leadership in advancing offshore wind and clean energy in California
Long Beach, Calif. – Today, a broad coalition of labor, port, environmental justice, conservation, and industry advocates honored Senator Lena Gonzalez (CA-33) as the 2025 Offshore Wind Champion, recognizing her steadfast commitment to advancing California’s reliable, clean energy future through responsible offshore wind development.
The coalition praised Senator Gonzalez’s pivotal role in securing Proposition 4 funding to modernize and electrify California’s ports, critical investments that will improve air quality, support good-paying jobs, and position the state as a national hub for offshore wind.
Advocates highlighted California’s progress under Senator Gonzalez’s leadership, including efforts to prioritize early port investments, engage local and Tribal communities in the planning process, expand workforce opportunities across skilled professions, and advance grid interconnection solutions to deliver reliable clean power. The award ceremony underscored that steadfast advocacy for responsible offshore wind planning is essential for California to protect both communities and the environment.
“I’m humbled by this recognition, and I am extremely proud that California will continue to be a global leader with an energy mix that includes offshore wind. I’m personally very grateful to the many hard-working, innovative and persistent stakeholders in business, labor, environment and more who collectively fought to see this through. This is the exact type of collaboration that is needed to keep California moving towards a healthier, cleaner and more inclusive energy future,” said Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach).
The coalition released the following statements:
“Senator Gonzalez’s leadership shows that clean energy and good jobs go hand in hand. Her steadfast commitment to responsible offshore wind ensures that this emerging industry is powered by skilled union workers earning family-sustaining wages. She’s helping to create thousands of career pathways across California’s ports and coastal communities.”
Mike Miller, Regional Director, UAW Region 6
“Senator Gonzalez has shown what real energy leadership looks like. By championing responsible offshore wind development, she’s helping ensure that strengthening California’s grid goes hand in hand with robust labor standards, high road careers, and investments that uplift working families.”
Robert Corona, Business Manager/Financial Secretary, IBEW Local Union 11
“Sen. Gonzalez deserves this award for her tireless support of the effort to help California tap the vital economic resource that is offshore wind power. Her dedication and leadership are exactly what is needed for the state to achieve the significant energy security that offshore wind offers. We thank her for her steadfast commitment to the state’s energy goals.”
Mario Cordero, CEO, Port of Long Beach
“Senator Gonzalez recognizes the opportunity and the promise of offshore wind for California. Supporting legislation that will grow the industry and create more affordable energy for the state's grid is the right call. Offshore wind has the potential to drive down electric bills and create good-paying jobs for California. Senator Gonzalez’s efforts will help ensure the potential for offshore wind becomes reality.”
Rachel Lucine, West Coast Regional Organizer for OSW, BlueGreen Alliance
“We commend Senator Gonzalez for her strong commitment to clean energy solutions that center community voices. Her leadership on responsible offshore wind ensures that as we build the infrastructure needed for a stable, reliable grid, we’re also building opportunities for cleaner air, good-paying jobs, and meaningful benefits for the frontline and Tribal communities most impacted by fossil fuel pollution.”
Eddie Ahn, Executive Director, Brightline Defense
“California is staying the course on offshore wind because of the courage and commitment of champions like Senator Lena Gonzalez. She played a key leadership role in helping to secure the $475 million in Proposition 4 for vital port infrastructure upgrades, which voters overwhelmingly approved in November 2024, and then winning support from California lawmakers for a first installment of $228 million in the 2025-26 state budget. Her recognition as 2025 Offshore Wind Champion is much deserved.”
Adam Stern, Executive Director, Offshore Wind California
“Sen. Gonzalez recognizes offshore wind is good for her district, good for California and good for the world. Her steady hand has helped grow the industry from a vision to a plan for port infrastructure projects. We’re thankful for her continued efforts to unlock the energy and economic benefits of this world-class renewable resource off California’s coast.”
Molly Croll, Senior Policy Director, American Clean Power-California
"Oceantic Network commends Senator Gonzales for her steadfast leadership in renewable energy and her efforts in securing $475 million of vital port infrastructure funding. California’s vision for an affordable energy future and thriving port sector is in reach because of her commitment to offshore wind. The Port of Long Beach and the development of Pier Wind will ensure that California will have the most expansive, innovative floating offshore wind assembly and manufacturing port in the coming decade."
Nancy Kirshner-Rodriguez, Senior Director of Policy and Outreach, Oceantic Network
“It’s never easy to be a champion. It takes courage, vision, and leadership to fight for important projects. Offshore wind will create clean reliable energy for generations to come. Thank you Senator Gonzalez for your hard work on this critical issue. We thank you and future generations will thank you.”
Dan Jacobson, Senior Advisor, Environment California
“Offshore wind will save Californians money while ensuring the lights stay on with clean, renewable electricity. Senator Gonzalez is worthy of this honor because she understands that now is the time for bold leadership.”
Michael Colvin, Director, California Energy Program, Environmental Defense Fund
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