Author: Schatz Center

Webinar (11/17): Detecting potential entanglements with floating OSW mooring lines — using sensors, modeling, and ROVs
Register for the November 17, 2026 webinar (1-3 pm Pacific time)

As part of a research program for detecting secondary entanglement on floating offshore wind mooring lines, the Schatz Center and project collaborators recently developed a sensor package and inspection ROV platform, conducted tank tests of both the sensor package and ROV system, and analyzed the efficacy of the sensors to detect scaled entanglement loads (such as turtles, pinnipeds, or whales) which could occur on the mooring lines on a floating offshore wind system.

This webinar will describe the sensor package developed by PNNL and the inspection ROV platform developed by MARE, and will share results on the development and testing of both of these components of the MoorSEA system. We will hear about predicted capacity of the PNNL sensors to detect entanglements, and how that could be confirmed by the MARE ROV. We will also hear from Schatz Center research staff about how simulation modeling aided in the development of a detection algorithm, which helped to guide the sensor package development. We will explore a few next steps, including how these systems might be deployed on a floating platform, and discuss potential preliminary limits of detectability.
- Register for the webinar
Joining the discussion will be project staff from the Schatz Energy Research Center, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Marine Applied Research & Exploration (MARE). This research effort is funded by the California Energy Commission.

This talk is a production of the Pacific Offshore Wind Consortium and the Schatz Energy Research Center. For questions about this webinar or to request technical or accessibility support, please contact schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or call 707-826-4345.
October 30, 2026
Job opening: California Public Utilities Commission, Energy Division Student Internship
Applications are due by Monday, November 16, 2026, 8:00 AM Pacific
Download the full job announcement

About the internship

Gain experience in energy and environmental policy through a paid Spring 2027 internship with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Open to Cal Poly Humboldt undergraduate and graduate students, this internship offers an inside look at how a state agency serves the public through opportunities to contribute to projects, collaborate with CPUC staff, and learn how research and analysis inform policy and regulatory decisions.

The internship is offered through a partnership with the Schatz Energy Research Center and supported by CPUC funding. It is expected to begin on or near January 13, 2027, and continue through the spring semester, with a possible extension into summer. The position offers up to 20 hours of work per week.

Eligible applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students in good academic standing and enrolled at Cal Poly Humboldt during both Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. Applicants should demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for energy and environmental policy.

Who we are

Schatz Center

Since 1989, the Schatz Center has been a leader in applied research and project development for clean and renewable energy. Our current portfolio includes microgrid development, sustainable transportation design, carbon life cycle analysis, solar product testing, offshore wind feasibility studies, and planning and policy for clean energy access around the globe.

As residents of a rural coastal community, we are keenly aware of our social and environmental responsibilities. We are committed to increasing energy access and resilience for communities worldwide — and do so through clean and renewable design that reduces climate change and restores environmental and human health.

California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)

The CPUC’s Energy Division develops and administers energy policy and programs to serve the public interest, advise the Commission, and ensure compliance with the Commission’s decisions and statutory mandates. The Energy Division provides objective and expert analyses that promote reliable, safe, and environmentally sound energy services at the lowest reasonable rates for the people of California.

The Energy Division provides technical support to the Commissioners and their offices, and the Administrative Law Judges. The Energy Division drafts resolutions for formal consideration by the Commission. Resolutions generally result from informal utility requests called Advice Letters, which are submitted by utilities to request rate and tariff adjustments.

The Energy Division, through its Federal Policy and Ratemaking Section, represents the Commission in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and court proceedings.

The Energy Division assists the Commission in its regulation of four types of Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs): Electric, Natural Gas, Steam and Petroleum Pipeline Companies. Commission-approved tariffs (official rates and terms of service) for these four types of IOUs are maintained by the Energy Division.

What you will do

The intern will work directly under the supervision of the CPUC’s Infrastructure Planning & CEQA team, which provides the primary learning experience and project direction. The intern will offer project support while gaining exposure to the inner workings of the agency. Responsibilities include assisting with records retention, workshops, career fairs, travel, training, recruitment, and more. The intern will be assigned a specific project with a deliverable due at the end of the internship, such as a report or white paper, focused on the California Environmental Quality Act and CPUC regulatory processes used to site infrastructure projects, with the goal of providing solutions for expediting cases. The intern will also support public workshops and meetings, including providing logistical and technical support, acting as a liaison for workshop set-up needs, coordinating with staff, managers, and the Information Technology (IT) Division, attending workshops as necessary, monitoring public comments, and working with the workshop coordinator to ensure all parties have access to forums.

What you can expect to learn

This internship offers an inside look at working in a state agency and supporting California’s energy and environmental goals. Through supervised project work, you will learn how CPUC staff use research, data, and public input to inform regulatory decisions, carry out legislative requirements, and collaborate with utilities and other stakeholders. Depending on your assignment, you may gain experience analyzing information, reviewing policy materials, supporting public workshops, and preparing project deliverables while strengthening your research, communication, and project organization skills and exploring careers in public service.

Minimum qualifications

Education and experience
- Undergraduate or graduate students in good academic standing and enrolled at Cal Poly Humboldt during both Fall 2026 and Spring 2027.
- Coursework or other relevant experience in environmental science and management, environmental studies, land use planning, or a related field.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Interest and enthusiasm for energy, climate change, and environmental policy.
- Proficiency in MS Office (MS Excel and MS PowerPoint, in particular).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize work.
Schedule and work arrangement

The intern is expected to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester. The project team you will be working with is based at CPUC offices outside of Humboldt County and your work with them will primarily be remote. You may work from the Schatz offices. This internship offers flexible workdays and hours coordinated with CPUC’s regular business hours, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Pacific.. The final work schedule will be determined with your CPUC supervisor.

Compensation and internship duration

Interns will be paid an hourly rate between $17.40-$25.00 depending on experience, plus up to $5,000 in tuition and fee support, travel and/or professional development. Students may work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year. The internship is expected to start on or near January 13, 2027. There is potential for the internship to continue into the summer.

Note: Tuition and fee support depends on other financial assistance you may receive or be eligible for. We recommend contacting Student Financial Services for guidance.

How to apply

Deadline

All application materials must be received by Monday, November 16, 2026, 8:00 AM Pacific

Materials

Please apply via the Google Form: https://forms.gle/scv9V4MEkGJ5hXjF6

The form will ask you to provide your contact information, indicate how you learned about the vacancy, and upload the following application materials:
1. Formal letter of application / cover letter: A formal letter of application addressed to the Schatz and CPUC Hiring Committee that includes the following:
  1. Describe your background and what motivates you to apply.
  2. Describe your experience related to the qualifications above, including examples of work, projects, research, and/or college or university coursework.
Note: Your cover letter will be used as a writing sample to assess the quality of your writing.
1. Resume: A resume of 3 pages or fewer is preferred; however, we encourage you to include all relevant and transferable experience, skills, and coursework you wish us to consider.
Additional materials may be required from candidates invited to interview.

What counts as relevant experience?

You may demonstrate your qualifications through any combination of the following.
- Paid employment and internships.
- Volunteer service and community engagement.
- Leadership or participation in clubs, student organizations, or other extracurriculars.
- Independent or course-based projects, research, or fieldwork.
- Relevant college or university coursework successfully completed or in progress.
Questions, accommodations, and assistance

Learn more about our employment opportunities at schatzcenter.org/jobs.

For additional information about this opportunity, please email schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or call (707) 826-4345

For assistance with the application process, please submit an Accommodation Request Form or contact the campus ADA Coordinator at (707) 826-4678 or ada@humboldt.edu.

For more information regarding accommodation, you may also visit the Cal Poly Humboldt Campus Disability Resource Center.

Individuals in need of a telecommunications relay service may contact the California Relay Service at (877) 735-2929 TTY.
October 27, 2026
Webinar (10/13/26) — Balancing offshore wind port infrastructure with existing coastal industries: perspectives from the Humboldt Bay shellfish industry
- Watch the webinar recording here.
Port infrastructure is a critical part of deploying floating offshore wind. In California, only two ports – Long Beach and Humboldt Bay – are currently considering developing staging and integration facilities, where turbines could be assembled and then towed offshore for installation.

Understanding what it means to develop these large-scale port infrastructure projects requires meaningful engagement with the communities and industries currently occupying those spaces. In a partnership with California Sea Grant, the Schatz Energy Research Center has been supporting this type of engagement for the CA North Coast, including with the shellfish industry in Wigi / Humboldt Bay.

This webinar will include presentations from California Sea Grant and the Schatz Center about their work with Humboldt Bay shellfish farmers over the past two years, and perspectives from local shellfish farmers who have participated in these efforts and are actively engaged in the development process. Our goal is for attendees to come away with a better understanding of Humboldt Bay as a working estuary and agricultural space, and of the concerns and priorities of the shellfish industry regarding large-scale port development.
- Register for the webinar
Presenters & panelists will include Tanner Etherton (Schatz Energy Research Center & California Sea Grant), Kevin Johnson (California Sea Grant), Justin Mojonnier (Hog Island Oyster Company), and Todd Van Herpe (Humboldt Bay Oyster Company).

This talk is a production of the Pacific Offshore Wind Consortium and the Schatz Energy Research Center. For questions about this webinar or to request technical or accessibility support, please contact us at schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or call 707-826-4345.
September 28, 2026
Request for qualifications (RFQ) for consulting engineering services supporting three community microgrids

Following the successful deployment of three local microgrids (Blue Lake Rancheria
Community Microgrid, Blue Lake Rancheria Solar+ Microgrid, Redwood Coast Airport
Microgrid), the Schatz Energy Research Center (Schatz Center) at Cal Poly Humboldt is
leading the development of three new megawatt-scale community microgrid projects in
Humboldt County, California.

We are seeking to partner with a consulting engineering firm to help develop civil, structural, and electrical plans and specifications, and cost estimates to support delivery of three community microgrid projects. Funded by a combination of federal and state grants and other sources, The Schatz Center intends to execute a three-year Task Order Services Agreement (TOSA) with an estimated value of $1.5 million to cover engineering support through design, procurement, construction, and commissioning. Each of the three projects are being deployed along the same timeline with anticipated commercial operation dates in 2029.

*Please see the full engineering services Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for more information on engineering roles and responsibilities, project deployment timelines, and the request for qualifications process.

Requested Information

Please provide responses by Oct 16th, 2026, 5:00 PM. If a response represents more than one engineering firm teaming to provide the requested services, the prime engineering firm should prepare the response and each entity comprising the team should be described in the responses as applicable.

Questions

Questions must be submitted by Oct 2nd, 2026, 5:00 PM by email to:
david.carter@humboldt.edu and david.franklin@humboldt.edu.

Answers will be provided to all respondents by October 9th, 2026, by 5:00 PM PST. Any
answers provided during phone conversations between Schatz Center staff and
potential respondents during the response period will be included.

Timeline

Responses will be scored within two weeks of the RFQ deadline. Follow-up interviews
may be requested. We anticipate notifying respondents of the results within 30 days of
the RFQ deadline and keeping them updated periodically until agreement is reached
with one of the respondents.

September 15, 2026
Job Opening: Senior Project Engineer in Microgrids and Distributed Energy
Open until filled.

Download the full job announcement

We are seeking one to two Senior Project Engineers to support the development and implementation of clean energy microgrid and distributed energy projects.

Our microgrid and distributed energy portfolio is focused on delivering real-world projects that improve energy resilience, support Tribal energy sovereignty, and advance grid decarbonization. You will join a team working on multiple large-scale microgrid projects with Tribal partners in Northern California. These projects integrate renewable energy generation, battery storage, and controls in community-serving energy systems.

This position involves work across multiple phases of project delivery, including design coordination, technical analysis, construction support, integration, and commissioning. It is well suited for engineers with experience in public works construction, infrastructure, energy systems, or similar project delivery environments.

The position is based at the Schatz Center in Arcata, California. Staff may work onsite full-time or in a hybrid arrangement, with at least 40% of time spent onsite. Applications are welcome from all who are legally eligible to work in the U.S.

Who we are and what we do

Since 1989, the Schatz Center has been a leader in applied research and project development for clean and renewable energy. Our current portfolio includes microgrid development, sustainable transportation design, carbon life cycle analysis, solar product testing, offshore wind feasibility studies, and planning and policy for clean energy access around the globe.

We are located on the campus of Cal Poly Humboldt in Arcata, California. Arcata’s 800-acre community forest and 11 miles of trails through the heart of the redwoods begin just one block away, and we are within biking distance of California’s second largest inland bay and the Pacific Ocean.

As residents of a rural coastal community, we are keenly aware of our social and environmental responsibilities. We are committed to increasing energy access and resilience for communities worldwide — and do so through clean and renewable design that reduces climate change and restores environmental and human health.

Position Summary

Ready to engineer the future of clean energy? As a Senior Project Engineer, you’ll provide leadership in developing complex, real-world clean energy systems. You will join our Microgrid research area and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, analysts, and project managers, reporting directly to a Principal Engineer.

You will help deliver clean energy projects that improve energy resilience, support Tribal energy sovereignty, and advance grid decarbonization. Based on the Cal Poly Humboldt campus, the Schatz Center also offers opportunities to collaborate with faculty and students working on applied energy research and deployment.

You will work on multiple projects simultaneously, contributing engineering and analytical support to help deliver projects on schedule and within budget. Your work will include coordination with internal teams and external partners, preparing and reviewing technical deliverables, supporting planset and construction document development, and helping move projects through design, construction, integration, and commissioning.

This position requires strong technical judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to coordinate work across team members, partners, contractors, vendors, and other project partners. You may also supervise and/or mentor early-career staff or student researchers and represent the Center in project meetings or external events.

You are encouraged to contribute ideas that improve project delivery and team processes, and to help foster an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative workplace. We value input from staff at all levels and support a work environment that promotes professional growth and sustainable workloads.

Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt, benefit-eligible position with a minimum term of one year. Continued employment is anticipated, contingent on funding, workload, and performance.

The full salary range for this position is from $7,579 to $12,963 per month (Steps 1 – 12), with an anticipated hiring range of $7,579 to $9,213 (Steps 1 – 5), depending on skills and experience. Cost of living adjustments are made annually in July. Staff generally become eligible for step increases at regular 2-year intervals, with additional advancement opportunities available through the Center’s advancement framework.

How to apply

Please see the full job announcement for the core responsibilities and a list of required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Deadline

The position will be open until it is filled.

Materials

Applicants must submit all required application materials through the official application form:

Senior Project Engineer Application Form link

The form will ask you to provide your contact information, indicate how you learned about the vacancy, complete required confirmations, and upload the application materials listed below.

Please prepare the following materials for submission:
1. Formal letter of application / cover letter: Describe your interest in the position and how your background prepares you for this role. Please address the letter to the Schatz Center Hiring Committee.
2. Resume: A maximum of 3 pages is preferred; however, we encourage you to include all relevant and transferable experience and skills you wish us to consider. For guidance, view our Criteria for Prior Education and Experience. Please include time-base information, such as hours per week or month, for each experience and/or training.
3. Contact information for 3 professional references
4. Cal Poly Humboldt SPF Employee Information Form for Applicants https://forms.humboldt.edu/spf-self-identification-form-job-applicants-eif-pre-offer. Fill in Submission Email/Contact as follows: Name = Schatz Energy Research Center, Email = schatzenergy@humboldt.edu
Your application will be considered complete when all required materials have been submitted. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Additional materials may be required from candidates invited to interview.

If you are unable to access or submit the application form, contact schatzenergy@humboldt.edu for assistance.

Questions and inquiries
- For assistance with the application process, please submit an Accommodation Request Form, or contact the campus ADA Coordinator at (707) 826-3626 or confidential fax at (707) 826-3625. For more information regarding accommodation, you may also visit the Cal Poly Humboldt Campus Disability Resource Center at https://disability.humboldt.edu/. Individuals in need of a telecommunications relay service may contact the California Relay Service at (877) 735-2929 TTY.
- Learn more about our employment opportunities at schatzcenter.org/jobs.
- For additional information, please email schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or call (707) 826-4345.
July 1, 2026
Upcoming webinar – Introducing the California Offshore Wind Environmental Monitoring Framework
- Watch the video
Join us for a public webinar on Tuesday, June 23, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Over the last two years, the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF) has worked with over two hundred scientists — in coordination with the California Ocean Protection Council and California Department of Fish and Wildlife — to develop a statewide Environmental Monitoring Framework for floating offshore wind development. This framework provides a science-based foundation to guide the development of site-specific monitoring plans for species, habitats, and oceanographic processes that may be affected by floating offshore wind in California. It identifies potential environmental impacts from OSW development, proposes relevant monitoring questions, and reviews available and emerging monitoring tools.

Join us on June 23 for a discussion with CMSF and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on monitoring recommendations and other next steps.

This talk is a production of the Pacific Offshore Wind Consortium. For more information on POWC, please visit powc.us.

For questions about this webinar or to request technical or accessibility support, please contact schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or call 707-826-4345.
- Register for the June 23 webinar
Learn more about our offshore wind research

For more information, contact: schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or 707-826-4345.

Important note: The Schatz Center is committed to providing research that is accessible to everyone. If you encounter any barriers while using this document or require the information in an alternative format, please contact us at schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or 707-826-4345.
June 4, 2026
Designing Sensors to Detect and Reduce Marine Entanglement: New Report and Upcoming Webinar
- Watch the video
Join us for a public webinar on June 17, at 12:00 pm PST, to explore findings from this memo and learn more about the MoorSea project– an ongoing CEC-funded project related to sensor package development and detection of marine entanglements. Presenters will include Dr. Arne Jacobson, Dr. Maysam Mousaviraad, Eli Wallach, and Greyson Adams.

“Ghost gear” is the evocative term for lost, discarded and abandoned fishing gear found in the marine and coastal environment. This gear can create multiple hazards for marine life.

Secondary entanglement refers to situations where ghost gear becomes entangled with existing infrastructure – creating a new entanglement hazard. The Schatz Center is leading research efforts to support advancements in environmental monitoring for mooring lines used to anchor floating offshore wind farms. Our goal is to expand the capacity of underwater sensors and remote operated vehicles to detect (a) primary entanglements between ghost gear and mooring lines, and (b) secondary entanglements between mooring-line-entangled ghost gear and transiting marine species. Our study focus is the deepwater environment of the Humboldt and Morro Bay Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) off the coast of Northern and Central California.

In order to assess detectability, we first need to characterize: (i) species of concern within these areas, (ii) ghost gear found within this region, and (iii) the metocean environment within the WEAs. (Note: metocean data is key for evaluating the sensor-signal to background noise ratio.)

Our first report, prepared by the Schatz Center and our partner colleagues at H.T. Harvey & Associates for the MoorSEA project, provides a high-level overview of the environmental and biological data associated with the Humboldt and Morro Bay WEAs.
- Download the report
- Register for the June 17 webinar
Learn more about our offshore wind research

For more information, contact: schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or 707-826-4345.

Important note: The Schatz Center is committed to providing research that is accessible to everyone. If you encounter any barriers while using this document or require the information in an alternative format, please contact us at schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or 707-826-4345.
May 21, 2026
Speaker series: America’s Nuclear Waste Gridlock and the Future of the Humboldt Bay Spent Fuel Site — April 30 @ 5:30 pm

We invite you to join us for a presentation by Vincent Ialenti, on Thursday, April 30 @ 5:30 pm in BSS 166 at Cal Poly Humboldt (next to the Native American Forum). This event is free and open to the public, and ADA accessible parking is available in the lot immediately to the south of the Native Forum building. For questions or accessibility requests, please contact schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or call 707-826-4345.

America’s Nuclear Waste Gridlock and the Future of the Humboldt Bay Spent Fuel Site

The United States has generated more than 90,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel but still lacks a permanent underground repository to store it. As a result, nuclear waste remains stranded at more than seventy sites across the country — including the Humboldt Bay spent fuel storage installation — while federal policy has cycled through decades of stalled initiatives, legal constraints, and partisan policy realignments.

Drawing on his experience as a senior program manager in the U.S. Department of Energy (2022–2025) and more than fifteen years of research on nuclear institutions, anthropologist Vincent Ialenti examines the legal, financial, and cultural forces that have kept the U.S. nuclear waste program in a prolonged state of gridlock. Taking Humboldt Bay as a local reference point, Ialenti situates the North Coast site within the broader national challenge of governing radioactive materials with half-lives extending millions of years into the distant future. The talk explores how societies attempt to make credible intergenerational promises about safety, stewardship, and justice — and why such promises have proven difficult to sustain amid the rapid tempos of American political culture.

About the speaker

Vincent Ialenti is an anthropologist who explores how nuclear institutions govern time, engage publics, and sustain continuity across uncertain futures. During the Biden Administration, he served as a senior program manager in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, where he led the Consent-Based Siting Consortia: a $24m national program advancing community participation in siting spent nuclear fuel storage facilities. Prior to his federal service, Ialenti was a MacArthur Assistant Research Professor at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs and held fellowships at USC, University of British Columbia, and Cornell University’s Society for the Humanities. He is now on the research faculty of Cal Poly Humboldt’s Department of Environmental Studies.

Ialenti is the author of Deep Time Reckoning (MIT Press, 2020) and Longstorming (MIT Press, forthcoming). His work has been featured by the BBC, Scientific American, NPR, Forbes, and other outlets. His research has been supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, and The Berggruen Institute. Ialenti holds a PhD from Cornell University and a MSc from the London School of Economics.

March 24, 2026
New Report: Offshore Wind Ratepayer Cost Analysis

Our latest report estimates the ratepayer impacts over time associated with developing major new infrastructure – including a substation and two 500kV transmission lines – to enable offshore wind power from the Humboldt Wind Energy Area to reach the broader California electric grid.

This analysis focuses on the two transmission projects approved by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO): (i) a new 500 kV substation, plus a transmission line connecting the Humboldt Bay region to the Collinsville substation (near Pittsburg), and (ii) a second 500 kV line, extending from Humboldt Bay to the Fern Road substation (northeast of Redding). These projects are currently scheduled to come online by the end of 2034. The sponsor (developer) for both projects is California Grid Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Viridon Holdings LLC (Viridon).

Our findings show that Viridon’s recoverable costs, when spread across all customers on the CAISO-managed grid over the expected 50-year project lifetime, result in an estimated average cost to ratepayers of $0.28/MWh – or approximately $1.68 per year for the average California household (in 2025 dollars).

As shown below, ratepayer costs associated with this transmission development are expected to peak in 2035 (when the projects come online) at $0.75/MWh – $4.52/year for the average household – and decline steadily to $0.03/MWh by 2083.

Figure 1: Ratepayer impact over time in 2025 dollars (10-year rolling averages)

Download the full report.

Learn more about our offshore wind research.

For more information, contact: schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or 707-826-4345.

Important note: The Schatz Center is committed to providing research that is accessible to everyone. If you encounter any barriers while using this document or require the information in an alternative format, please contact us at schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or 707-826-4345.

February 11, 2026
Coastal Community Perspectives on Offshore Wind: A Discussion of Emerging Themes
- When: Wednesday, January 14, from 5:30–7:30 pm (presentation will begin promptly at 5:30 pm; doors will open at 5:10 pm)
- Where: Wharfinger Building, located at 1 Marina Way Eureka, CA 95501
- Who: Everyone is invited to attend this free event!
How are coastal community members thinking about offshore wind? What are the primary interests and concerns – and how do these vary within and between West Coast port towns? Are local residents engaging in “community benefit agreement” planning – and if so, how do they feel about these processes? Do residents have access to clear, accurate, and current information about wind development plans and opportunities within their own community?

Over the past two years, researchers from Oregon State University (OSU), along with partners from the Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt, the University of Washington, the University of Delaware, and the University of Maine, have conducted a study on community perspectives on offshore wind development. On the West Coast, the team has interviewed and surveyed residents in three coastal communities – Humboldt Bay, California; Coos Bay, Oregon; and Westport, Washington – to better understand the emerging themes and differences along the coastal region.

The community is invited to join the OSU and Schatz Center teams for a discussion of their preliminary findings, on Wednesday, January 14, from 5:30–7:30 pm at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka. Presenters will include Julia Bingham of Oregon State, and Tanner Etherton and Lauren Hart of the Schatz Center. The presentation will begin promptly at 5:30 pm; doors will open at 5:10 pm.

This event is free and open to the public, and pizza and drinks will be provided. Please note that the discussion will not be filmed or live streamed, although a summary of findings will be available in mid-2026. For questions or accessibility requests, please contact schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or call 707-826-4345.
December 19, 2025