A Risk Assessment Framework to Evaluate Effects of Offshore Wind Farms on the California Upwelling Ecosystem
Summary
SCH Number
2020060448
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
A Risk Assessment Framework to Evaluate Effects of Offshore Wind Farms on the California Upwelling Ecosystem
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/22/2020
Document Description
The purpose of this Agreement is to fund a desktop numerical modeling study that evaluates the potential impact of floating offshore wind farms on coastal upwelling ecosystems. This Agreement will result in lower costs and environmental benefits by facilitating offshore wind permitting, turbine siting and array evaluation; understanding tradeoffs; and identifying data gaps to prioritize research, which will contribute to offshore wind project development and increased renewable energy generation in California.
Contact Information
Name
David Stoms
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Santa Cruz
Counties
Santa Cruz
Cross Streets
200 Washington St Ste 201
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit 14, § 15306
Reasons for Exemption
This project is exempt under Section 15306 because the project may only be collecting environmental data related to wind speed, ocean waves, and upwelling to validate the models with no serious major disturbance to sites in the Pacific Ocean. The project is exempt under the common sense exemption CCR 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the numerical modeling study of offshore wind farms may have a significant effect on the environment. Each exemption is an independent basis for finding the project exempt.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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