October 27, 2022

Humboldt Bay Harbor District has announced a partnership with a private company — Crowley Wind Services — to build a full-service facility to support offshore wind development all along the West Coast.The Humboldt Bay Harbor District has been conducting strategic planning since 2019 to establish a world-class marine terminal to service the offshore wind industry at a 180-acre site on the Samoa Peninsula.

Utilizing a grant from the Humboldt County Headwaters Fund in 2021, the District developed a conceptual Master Plan for the site. That led to a $10.45M grant from the California Energy Commission, which the Port has utilized to conduct a range of technical studies, preliminary design, and pre-permitting activities.

The District anticipates completing permitting and design in mid-2024. Humboldt Bay offers advantages for offshore wind because its location and size allows it to serve as a manufacturing, fabrication, construction and assembly, staging and tow-out hub. It is close to the ocean and provides a shipping channel clear of bridges or other airspace obstructions while minimizing environmental and wildlife impacts.

Because of these advantages, the Bay has drawn the attention of many Federal and State agencies as well as a suite of international energy development firms.

The Humboldt Wind Port project is now transitioning to the next stage as the District plans to sign a lease with a premier marine terminal development firm. The agreement focuses on an 86-acre Phase I, with the potential to expand to additional Phases.

This partnership and project will generate high-skill manufacturing and technical jobs, investments, and clean energy that will extend for generations into the future.

The District will host a Celebration of Partnership with several dignitaries as guest speakers.


Date/Time:
 Thursday, October 27 at 1:30 PM

Location: Woodley Island, Eureka (601 Startare Drive); at the Fisherman’s Statue Parking Lot at the far west end of the islandTopic: Announcement Regarding new Partnership for the Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind and Heavy Lift Marine Terminal

Speakers:

  • Greg Dale, President of the Board, Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District
  • Tentative – Ted Hernandez, Tribal Chair, Wiyot Tribe
  • Jeff Andreini, Vice President, Crowley Wind Services
  • Virginia Bass, Chair of the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors
  • US Congressman Jared Huffman

Details: Through Crowley’s Wind Services group, the company will serve as the port’s developer of the Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal. Services there will support tenants in the manufacturing, installation and operation of offshore wind floating platforms, use of large heavy cargo vessels and providing crewing and marshalling services in the Pacific waters. The terminal would be second largest wind terminal in the U.S. at this time.Summary of the Economic Impact Study:

  • 4,257 jobs in Humboldt County
    • Stage 1 830 jobs
    • Stage 2 3,426 jobs
  • $279 million in labor income in Humboldt County
  • $38 million in state and local tax revenues
  • Total industry output
    • Stage 1 would generate $136 million in Humboldt County or $178 Million across California
    • Stage 2 would generate $481 million in Humboldt County or $633 Million across California

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