California congressman advocates for increased collaboration with tribes on offshore wind development | Lifestyle

California Congressman Urges Federal Regulators to Address Tribal Concerns in Offshore Wind Development

In a move to address tribal concerns over the development of offshore wind power along the West Coast, U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman of California’s north coast has called on federal regulators to assign a senior official to work with tribal communities in the region.

The push for increased consultation with tribes comes as the U.S. offshore wind industry gains momentum, with plans for commercial-scale floating wind farms off the coast of California and Oregon. Tribal communities have expressed frustration over what they see as a lack of meaningful engagement in the decision-making process.

Heidi Moore-Guynup, director of tribal and government affairs for Blue Lake Rancheria, emphasized the importance of involving tribal nations in the development of offshore wind projects. She stated, “Regional tribal nations are asking for the opportunity to help influence the way in which offshore wind is executed off the shores of the West Coast. They’ve been the stewards of the waterways, bays, and oceans since time immemorial and want to ensure that the health of such waterways and the species that live among them is preserved.”

Currently, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) oversees the development of offshore energy and mineral resources in the region from its Pacific office in Camarillo, California. However, Huffman and tribal leaders argue that a dedicated official is needed to work exclusively with tribes due to the scale of the offshore wind projects planned and the level of consultation required.

While BOEM did not comment directly on Huffman’s letter, the agency stated that it is committed to refining its engagement with tribes and incorporating indigenous knowledge and perspectives into the renewable energy leasing process.

The Interior Department recently approved eight commercial-scale offshore wind projects in the U.S., marking a significant milestone for the industry. However, tribal leaders in California and Oregon have raised concerns about the lack of meaningful consultation and engagement in the decision-making process.

In response to these concerns, Huffman called for the creation of a government coordinating council on wind energy to bring together federal, state, local, and tribal governments. Tribal leaders like Jacque Hostler-Carmesin of the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria emphasized the need for tribes to have a seat at the table in decision-making processes.

While some tribes, like the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians in Oregon, have objected to offshore wind development in their region, others, like the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in Massachusetts, have entered into agreements with developers to ensure tribal involvement and benefits from the projects.

As the U.S. continues to expand its offshore wind industry, the need for meaningful consultation with tribal communities remains a critical issue. With ongoing discussions and negotiations between tribes, developers, and government agencies, the goal is to ensure that tribal voices are heard and respected in the decision-making process surrounding offshore wind development.