Assembly Bill (AB) 3 (Zbur, Chapter 314, Statutes of 2023), or the California Offshore Wind Advancement Act (COWAA), requires the California Energy Commission (CEC), in consultation with specified state agencies, including the State Lands Commission, California Coastal Commission, California Workforce Development Board, Ocean Protection Council, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (formerly Office of Planning and Research), and additional state and federal agencies, to author and submit two reports to the Governor and Legislature:
- By December 31, 2026, submit a second-phase plan for seaport readiness (Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 25991.8)
- By December 31, 2027, submit a feasibility study of achieving 50 percent and 65 percent in-state assembly and manufacturing of offshore wind energy projects (PRC Section 25991.9).
See below for additional details on the requirements for each of these reports.
The Energy Commission will collaborate and consult with tribal governments in development of these reports. For more information about tribal participation contact tribalaffairs@energy.ca.gov.
Additionally, the Energy Commission will consult with interested parties, including, but not limited to, environmental organizations, environmental justice organizations, fisheries groups, labor unions, electric ratepayer advocates, offshore wind energy developers, oceangoing vessel operators, and related industry stakeholders, local governments, public port authorities, and other ocean users.
Develop a second-phase plan and strategy for seaport readiness that builds upon the recommendations and alternatives in the strategic plan for offshore wind energy developments developed pursuant to PRC Sections 25991 and 25991.3, which can be found on the AB 525 Reports webpage. The CEC is required to submit a report on its recommendations for a seaport readiness strategy to the Governor and the Legislature on or before December 31, 2026. (PRC Section 25991.8).
Conduct a study on the feasibility of achieving 50 percent and 65 percent in-state assembly and manufacturing of offshore wind energy projects and the domestic content thresholds for offshore wind energy projects, as specified in the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-169). Submit a report on the study to the Governor and the Legislature on or before December 31, 2027. (PRC Section 25991.9).