Pacific Offshore
Wind Summit
2024
Join industry leaders, federal and state officials, and key stakeholders in shaping the future of offshore wind on the West Coast.
SUMMIT AGENDA 2024
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Welcome Reception
Join us at the Pacific Offshore Wind Summit's Welcome Reception to kickstart your Summit experience with networking opportunities galore. Connect with industry pioneers, policymakers, and experts in an informal setting while enjoying refreshments and forging valuable connections that will enhance your Summit journey.
Opening Remarks
Adam Stern, Executive Director, Offshore Wind California
Mike Gipson, California Assembly Member, 65th District
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Registration & Check-In
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
Welcome & Introductions
Speaker: Adam Stern, Executive Director, Offshore Wind California and Ruth Perry, Head of Regulatory Affairs, Shell Renewables and Energy Solutions provide opening remarks and presentation of Offshore Wind California video.
8:15 AM - 8:30 AM
Moving California to 100% Clean Energy
Speaker: David Hochschild, Chair, California Energy Commission (CEC), to set the stage for the offshore wind opportunity and state agency activities in California.
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Five Leaseholders from California's Initial Offshore Wind Lease Sale
The five leaseholders from the December 2022 California Offshore Wind Auction will discuss progress on their plans, the future of offshore wind in California, and what is necessary to deploy the resource at scale. Leaseholders will examine opportunities for coordination with state and federal agencies, ocean users, coastal communities, and Tribes. Panelists will discuss ways to address both opportunities and barriers to deploying offshore wind at scale.
Moderator: Stephanie McClellan, Executive Director, Turn Forward
Panelists:
- Alicia Barton, CEO, Vineyard Offshore
- Michael Brown, CEO, Ocean Winds North America
- Sam Eaton, President & CEO, RWE Offshore Holdings
- Martin Goff, Head of Renewables, Pacific Region, Equinor
- Daniel Runyan, Head of Offshore Wind, Invenergy
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Networking Break
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
How BOEM Policies are Helping California Reach its 25 GW Goal for Offshore Wind by 2045
Speaker: Elizabeth Klein, Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Key Next Steps for Making California a Leader in Floating Offshore Wind and Green Growth
Speaker: Jana Ganion, Senior Advisor, Offshore Wind, Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Going Big on California Offshore Wind - State & Federal Progress & Direction
Panel discussion to review coordination among state and federal agencies in light of the AB 525 Strategic Plan and how California can support a robust and sustainable offshore wind market to meet AB 525 planning goals. This panel will focus on how state and federal agencies can work together to ensure timely permitting, siting, transmission development and interconnection, and effective community engagement.
Moderator: Adam Stern, Executive Director, Offshore Wind California
Panelists:
- Doug Boren, Pacific Regional Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
- Elizabeth Huber, Director, Siting, Transmission, and Environmental Protection, California Energy Commission
- Kevin Sligh, Director, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
- Joe Street, Manager, Energy, Ocean Resources & Federal Consistency, California Coastal Commission
11:15 AM - 11:22 AM
Keynote
11:23 AM - 11:30 AM
Keynote
Speaker: Dawn Addis, California State Assembly, 30th Assembly District
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Offshore Wind in the California Legislature
What have AB 525 and other offshore wind legislation achieved to date and what legislative changes are needed to increase market certainty and develop a robust offshore wind industry in California? This panel discussion will focus on perspectives from the California State Senate and Assembly members on building a sustainable industry and meeting the 2030 and 2045 AB 525 planning goals.
Moderator: Brian White, Partner, KP Public Affairs
Panelists:
- Josh Becker, California State Senate, 13th Senate District
- John Laird, California State Senate, 17th Senate District
- Cottie Petrie-Norris, California State Assembly, 73rd Assembly District
- Jim Wood, California State Assembly, Assembly Speaker pro Tempore
- Rick Chavez Zbur, California State Assembly, 51st Assembly District
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
Roadmap for Timely, Efficient Federal & California Offshore Wind Permitting
There is a complex state and federal permitting regime for offshore wind development. This panel discussion will examine how state and federal permitting processes and timelines can be aligned to avoid and mitigate impacts and ensure timely deployment and interconnection of offshore wind facilities.
Moderator: Whitney Fiore, Offshore Wind and Marine Regional Lead, ICF
Panelists:
- Kate Huckelbridge, Executive Director, California Coastal Commission
- Scott Johnston, Offshore Wind Lead, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- Jennifer Lucchesi, Executive Officer, California State Lands Commission
- Silvia Yanez, State Permitting Manager, Golden State Wind
- Rick Yarde, Regional Supervisor, Office of Environment, Pacific Region, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
2:15 PM - 2:45 PM
Networking Break
2:45 PM - 2:55 PM
Just Energy Transition
Speaker: Eddie Ahn, Executive Director, Brightline Defense
3:00 PM - 3:50 PM
Coexisting with Ocean Users - Monitoring & Mitigating Wildlife & Fisheries Impacts
The sea space where the first five California offshore wind lease areas are located is biodiverse and supports an ecosystem of cetaceans, marine mammals, birds, fish, and other species. There is a need for responsible offshore wind development to mitigate the impact on this ecosystem and coexist with ocean users, fishing, coastal communities, and the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. This panel will discuss scientific progress and funding for monitoring guidance and avoidance and mitigation measures needed to protect the marine environment both in the siting process and once projects become operational.
Moderator: Irene Gutierrez, Senior Attorney, Nature, Natural Resources Defense Council
Panelists:
- Mike Conroy, Principal, West Coast Fisheries Consultants
- Garry George, Senior Director, Climate Strategy, National Audubon Society
- Ben Ruttenberg, Director, Center for Coastal Marine Sciences, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- Holly Wyer, Senior Environmental Scientist, California Coastal Commission
3:50 PM - 3:55 PM
University Research Consortium on Pacific Offshore Wind
Speaker: Arne Jacobson, Director, Schatz Energy Research Center, Cal Poly Humboldt University
3:55 PM - 4:40 PM
Responsible Siting to Balance Offshore Wind Development and Sea-Space Challenges
Panel Discussion to cover siting of current and future wind energy areas. Sea-space challenges with offshore wind include avoiding and mitigating impacts to sensitive habitats, fishing grounds, vessel routes, and marine protected areas. This panel will explore how responsible siting in the Pacific can balance offshore wind development and sea-space challenges.
Moderator: Nikki Buffa, Partner, Latham & Watkins
Panelists:
- Chuck Bonham, Director, California Department of Fish & Wildlife
- Jenn Eckerle, Deputy Secretary for Oceans and Coastal Policy for Natural Resources and Executive Director of the Ocean Protection Council
- Scott Flint, Environmental Program Manager, California Energy Commission
- Necy Sumait, Regional Supervisor, Office of Strategic Resources, Pacific Region, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
4:40 PM - 5:25 PM
Tribal Nation Perspectives, Partnerships, and Co-Management Structures, Related to Offshore Wind Development
Panel with Native American Tribal Nation leadership regarding offshore wind and associated infrastructure in California. Discussion will include climate contexts, activities to date, lessons learned, structures for improved co-management and co-stewardship of cultural, coastal, and ocean resources, and policy, concerns, and opportunities for this new green industrial development.
Moderator: Jana Ganion, Senior Advisor, Offshore Wind, Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom
Panelists:
- Sam Cohen, Government Affairs and Legal Officer at Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians
- Frankie Myers, Vice Chairman, Yurok Tribe
- Jason Ramos, Council Member, Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Business Council
5:25 PM - 5:30 PM
Day 1 Closing Remarks
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Offshore Wind Drinks @ Urban Roots Brewery and Smokehouse
Address: 1322 V Street, Sacramento, CA
Offshore Wind Drinks is an informal organization of offshore wind professionals who convene to network, socialize, and discuss ideas, trends and observations about the market. Many of our attendees are looking for ways to access the market and most are trying to learn more.
This event is free to attend. Click below to RSVP for the event.
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Registration, Check-In & Breakfast
8:00 AM - 8:10 AM
Day 2 Kickoff & Opening Remarks
Speaker: Adam Stern, Executive Director, Offshore Wind California and Ruth Perry, Head of Regulatory Affairs, Shell Renewables and Energy Solutions provide opening remarks.
8:10 AM - 8:20 AM
Keynote Address
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), to discuss domestic and floating offshore wind growth, the future of floating offshore wind in the US, and progress on the inter-agency Floating Offshore Wind Shot Initiative.
Speaker: Jocelyn Brown-Saracino, Offshore Wind Lead, U.S. Department of Energy
8:20 AM - 9:00 AM
Building a Sustainable Offshore Wind Industry in California - Growing to 25 GW by 2045 & Beyond
What policies, regulations, or legislative changes are needed to increase market certainty and develop a robust offshore wind industry in California? This panel discussion will focus on a broader industry perspective of what is needed to meet California's offshore wind potential - including roadblocks and paths forward to build a sustainable industry and meet the 2030 and 2045 AB 525 planning goals.
Moderator: Tershara Matthews, Senior Vice President, National Offshore Wind Policy Lead, WSP
Panelists:
- Tony Appleton, Offshore Wind Director, Burns & McDonnell
- Kelly Boyd, Senior Director, Policy Development and Regulatory, Pacific Region, Equinor
- Walt Musial, Chief Engineer for Offshore Wind Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Ruth Perry, Head of Regulatory Affairs, Shell Renewables and Energy Solutions
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Developing a Scalable West Coast Offshore Wind Supply Chain & Advancing Technology Needed to Deploy California's First Offshore Wind Projects
The growth in demand for floating offshore wind on the U.S. West Coast presents California with a unique opportunity to build the full-value chain from the ground up and leverage best practices from other markets to advance the clean energy transition. In order to advance this new industry, the state faces several challenges, including a limited supply chain and a lack of ports, transmission infrastructure, vessels, and workforce. Furthermore, the deepwater environment for Pacific offshore wind projects presents a myriad of technological challenges and areas for innovation. This panel will explore the essential components for developing a scalable, financially durable supply chain and identifying advancements in offshore wind technology that are needed to develop a sustainable industry and enable on-time construction and reliable project operations in California and beyond.
Moderator: Hillary Bright, US VP for Renewables, Xodus
Panelists:
- Michelle Bardini, Public Affairs Manager, Vestas
- Trelynd Bradley, Deputy Director of Sustainable Freight and Supply Chain Development, Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
- Tim Fischer, Global Director of Offshore Wind, Ramboll
- Saul Rosser, Offshore Wind Engineering Manager, West Coast, RWE
9:45 AM - 10:20 AM
Networking Break
10:20 AM - 10:30 AM
Offshore Wind's Potential as an Engine for California Jobs and Economic Growth
Speaker: Chris Hannan, President, State Building and Construction Trades Council
10:30 AM - 11:10 AM
California Jobs, Workforce & a Sustainable Supply Chain for Offshore Wind
Construction and maintenance of offshore wind and related facilities represents a substantial opportunity to deliver economic benefits to West Coast communities. It also requires a highly skilled workforce. This panel will explore traditional building and construction trades skills transferable to offshore wind, the role of existing workforce training infrastructure, and strategies that support successful project deployment while creating good-paying jobs in local communities.
Moderator: Dan Jacobson, Senior Advisor, Environment California
Panelists:
- Travis Alexander, Senior Organizer, Nor Cal Carpenters Union
- Jeff Hunerlach, District Representative, Operating Engineers
- Micah Mitrosky, International Representative, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
- Treston Shull, Vice President / Business Representative, LiUNA
11:10 AM - 11:55 AM
Investing in Seaport Facilities & Planning a Multi-Port Infrastructure Strategy
Initial investment is being targeted to develop facilities along the West Coast, including the Ports of Humboldt, Long Beach, and Coos Bay, among other areas, to serve the upcoming offshore wind pipeline. This panel will discuss the efforts currently underway, findings from reports such as the State Lands Commission AB 525 Port Readiness Plan, and updates on private investment and grant funding to develop local facilities.
Moderator: Nancy Kirshner-Rodriguez, Western Director, Oceantic Network
Panelists:
- Sarp Ersoylu, Western Ports & Maritime Manager, Burns & McDonnell
- Rob Holmlund, Director of Development, Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation Conservation District
- Suzanne Plezia, Chief Harbor Engineer, Port of Long Beach
- Brian Sabina, Founder & CEO, Clean Energy Terminals
12:00 PM - 1:25 PM
Lunch
1:30 PM - 1:35 PM
The Role of Offshore Wind in Planning at the CPUC to Meet California's Clean Energy Goals
Speaker: John Reynolds, Commissioner, California Public Utilities Commission
1:35 PM - 2:20 PM
Procurement at Scale - Perspectives on Mechanisms for Offshore Wind Offtake
Procurement at scale for long lead-time resources like offshore wind is critical to lower costs for load-serving entities (LSEs) and ratepayers in the purchase of offshore wind power, and also to increase market confidence for developers making the investments. California’s LSEs encompass a wide variety of investor-owned utilities, large public power entities, and community choice aggregators (CCAs), all moving to fulfill their SB 100 obligations.
This panel will explore the role that contracting for offshore wind could play in their clean energy plans, the CPUC processes for procuring and planning for offshore wind, and the implications of AB 1373 and the Department of Water Resources Electricity Supply Reliability Reserve Fund for large-scale, long lead-time resources.
Moderator: Molly Croll, Pacific Offshore Wind Director, American Clean Power
Panelists:
- Leuwam Tesfai, Deputy Executive Director for Energy and Climate Policy, California Public Utilities Commission
- Adam Smith, Director of Regulatory Relations, Southern California Edison (SCE)
- Rick Umoff, Director of Government Affairs, Vineyard Offshore
- V. John White, Executive Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technology
2:20 PM - 3:00 PM
Connecting Offshore Wind to California's Grid - Accelerating Transmission Planning & Interconnection
Planning how to interconnect gigawatts of offshore wind to the grid will soon take center stage in the race to deploy the new clean-energy resource. The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) estimates 5-6 GW of capacity may be available on the Central Coast for offshore wind and other energy resources. In contrast, very little transmission infrastructure exists to deliver power from California's North Coast. Previous experience from both Europe and the East Coast suggests that the decisions and investments made in transmission infrastructure can impact the cost and viability of future project locations.This panel will explore the CPUC and CAISO processes for transmission development, the potential for transmission projects to enable power delivery from offshore wind projects, and address key findings from studies by NREL, PNNL, the Schatz Energy Research Center, and others.
Moderator: Theodore Paradise, Partner, K & L Gates
Panelists:
- Travis Douville, Wind Systems Integration Portfolio Manager, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- Arne Jacobson, Director, Schatz Energy Research Center, Cal Poly Humboldt University
- Neil Millar, Vice President of Infrastructure & Operations Planning, California Independent System Operator
3:00 PM - 3:40 PM
Collaboration to Enhance Opportunities for Offshore Wind Around the Pacific & Beyond
The offshore wind sector sits atop a regional resource with West Coast regional implications and challenges, as well as shared characteristics and opportunities with offshore wind development along the Pacific Rim. Recent energy transmission and port infrastructure studies have highlighted the need for regional forums to address regional issues. This panel will explore opportunities and models for collaboration in areas including scientific research, interagency coordination, regional wholesale electric market design, and California's participation in the Global Offshore Wind Alliance.
Moderator: Jason Busch, Executive Director, Pacific Ocean Energy Trust
Panelists:
- Jocelyn Brown-Saracino, Offshore Wind Lead, U.S. Department of Energy
- Ryan Calkins, Commissioner, Port of Seattle, Offshore Wind Lead, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- William Lim, U.S. Program Wind Sector Leader & Japan Program Leader, Danish Energy Agency
3:40 PM - 3:55 PM
Imagining Floating Offshore Wind in California and America's Clean Energy Future in 2045
Speaker: Laura Daniel-Davis, Acting Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior
3:55 PM - 4:00 PM
Closing Remarks
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Closing Mixer "The Future is Floating"
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Floating Offshore Wind ShotTM Summit 2024
Join us as the Departments of Energy, Interior, Commerce, and Transportation bring together states, tribes, and offshore wind stakeholders to discuss progress to-date in our second Shot summit. This event will cast a spotlight on the Floating Offshore Wind ShotTM initiative, an all-of-government effort to promote a clean energy future by driving US leadership in floating offshore wind design, deployment, and manufacturing.
This event is free to attend, but space is limited. Click below to RSVP for the event.