Mythbusting
Misinformation about offshore wind is circulating in our community, with false claims around harm to marine life, the fishing industry, and local tourism. Below, explore some common misconceptions and discover the facts.
MYTH VS. FACTS
MYTH:
Offshore wind kills and injures marine animals and habitats.
FACTCHECK:
Marine scientists have found no evidence linking offshore wind to whale deaths.
Offshore wind surveys use the same sound technology as ocean research vessels, which are also operated by the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
During offshore wind development, protected species observers monitor for signs of marine mammals and other protected animals to minimize the possibility of vessel strikes or other potential disturbances.
Offshore wind turbine foundations can promote increased abundance of many fish species and other organisms.
The greatest threat to marine life is climate change.
MYTH:
Offshore wind will have a severe negative impact on the fishing industry.
FACTCHECK:
Wind farms are designed to account for fishing within their boundaries.
MYTH:
Significant increase in energy costs will come with offshore wind.
FACTCHECK:
A 2021 joint agency report found 10 GW of offshore wind energy would save California ratepayers approximately $1 billion in installed clean power capacity.
As the offshore wind supply chain continues to mature and the market expands, prices are expected to come further down.
Offshore wind offers reliable energy prices that can help insulate consumers from volatile global fossil fuel markets.
MYTH:
Increased air, noise and light pollution from industrial ports due to offshore wind.
FACTCHECK:
Port of Long Beach is seeking to become a “Green Port” by shifting to zero-emissions cargo handling by 2030 as it invests to support the offshore wind industry.
In 2025, the legislature voted to approve Proposition 4 funding for offshore wind port development, including $225.7 million to upgrade port infrastructure.
Offshore wind port development is going hand-in-hand with investments that will reduce pollution from ports.
Myth:
Offshore wind will damage our tourism and coastal beauty.
FACTCHECK:
California offshore wind farms are expected to be 20-60 miles off the coast; far enough that they will likely not be visible under most conditions.
Visual simulations produced by BOEM confirm that even the closest turbines will be barely visible at best.
Evidence suggests little negative impact and even a potential boost to tourism. There are also examples both in the U.S. and abroad of tourists seeking out offshore wind farms as part of their trips.
MYTH:
Offshore wind will industrialize the Central Coast.
FACTCHECK:
Ports in the Central Coast will be primarily used for operations and management of offshore wind projects, involving little to no infrastructure buildout.
The Port of Long Beach and Humboldt will be where most of the staging and integration (turbine assembly) will take place.
In contrast, the Port of San Luis will simply be used as an operations and maintenance (O&M) hub, which involves little to no infrastructure build out. The Port of San Luis is a beneficiary of $3 million in state grant money to bring funding for stakeholders and communities to actively engage in the offshore wind development process, and consider the impacts of developing a stronger pier.