To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Authorize Execution of an Agreement with Xodus to Conduct an Offshore Wind Workforce and Supply Chain Analysis
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the County Administrative Officer, or a designee thereof, to execute a $450,000 Professional Service Agreements with Xodus for services related to the offshore wind workforce and supply chain analysis; and
2. Authorize the County Administrative Officer (CAO), or a designee thereof, the authority to execute any ancillary documentation, modifications, and amendments related to this agreement, the project or the scope of services therein, subject to prior review and approval from County Counsel and Risk Management.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Workforce Development (1120287150); Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act, California Employment Development Department
DISCUSSION:
In January 2024, United States Congressman Jared Huffman visited Humboldt County to announce a $426 million grant from the Department of Transportation. This grant is allocated to the Humboldt Bay Recreation, Conservation, and Harbor District to build and maintain port infrastructure for offshore wind projects. In February 2024, California lawmakers introduced a proposal for a $1 billion bond to finance the expansion of ports. This expansion is aimed at supporting the development of offshore wind farms along the California coast.
Additionally, two companies, RWE and Vineyard Wind, have finalized their leases with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to develop offshore wind energy in Humboldt County. A local resident of Arcata, Jana Ganion, has been appointed as the Senior Advisor for Offshore Wind.
These recent activities, along with rigorous state and federal commitments to offshore wind energy, underline the importance of thorough planning by our organization. ...
Click here for full text