Mythbusting
Disinformation 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 harms marine life and ocean habitats in ways we can't prevent or control.
FACTCHECK:
Offshore wind surveys use the same type of sound technology that ocean scientists have safely used for years. Research organizations like the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography use this technology to study the ocean.
During offshore wind surveys and construction, trained wildlife observers watch for whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other protected animals. If animals are nearby, work can be slowed, paused, or changed to help keep them safe. Boats working on offshore wind projects also travel at slow speeds—usually 10 knots (about 11.5 mph) or less—to reduce the risk of hitting endangered marine animals.
Once turbines are in place, their underwater foundations can become artificial reefs. Scientists have found that these structures often attract fish, shellfish, and other marine life, increasing the number of species living in the area.
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.
Offshore wind projects can affect some communities more than others, especially commercial fishermen who work in the lease areas. To help address these impacts, the federal government requires developers to create community benefit agreements.
There are two types of agreements:
Lease Area Use Agreements help people and businesses—such as commercial fishing operations—that may be affected by activities in the offshore wind lease area.
General Community Agreements support nearby communities that could be affected by the project in other ways.
All five California offshore wind developers agreed to provide Lease Area Use Agreements. Four of the five also agreed to provide General Community Agreements.
MYTH:
Offshore wind will make your electric bill much higher.
FACTCHECK:
Offshore wind can help keep electricity prices more stable because it doesn't depend on the changing price of oil or natural gas.
A 2021 government report found that adding 10 gigawatts of offshore wind could save California ratepayers about $1 billion in the cost of building new clean energy.
As more offshore wind farms are built and the industry grows, the technology is expected to become even less expensive, helping lower costs over time.
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 located 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 even under the best conditions.
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 could 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. To date, the Port San Luis Harbor District has yet to accept the grant funding.