Concerns are raised about the potential visual and logistical impacts of a planned offshore wind farm off the Morro Bay coast, despite claims of minimal environmental effects.
This is in response to those downplaying the impacts from the offshore wind industrial complex planned off our Morro Bay coast. Various folks have stated they won’t use our ports, the view shed won’t be impacted, and there are minimal impacts on the ocean. They have also stated natural gas produces more emissions than offshore wind.
While it is true the beautiful tourist ports of Morro Bay and Avila Beach will not likely be used at first for large industrial offshore wind facilities, it is highly likely, that in the long term it will be necessary. The current plan to tow, maintain, and repair 200 to 300 approximately 1000-foot-high wind turbines from a facility 250 miles away is not practical. It is dangerous to not have a “safe harbor” for mooring the 300 plus foot service and operation vessels (SOV) and massive wind turbine platforms (the size of a baseball field) that is close. Weather will become a factor! Guaranteed. There are already companies looking into putting in a “clean energy terminal” at Port San Luis. We have been told a 3000’ pier would be necessary in Port San Luis to accommodate the SOVs. Unfortunately, the only viable location for a pier that size is at Avilla’s “Dog Beach.” I disagree with the wind farms not being “visually obtrusive.” The view-shed is very important to Californians and tourist. The Big Sur coastline is famous for its spectacular unobstructed ocean views. We have been told you will be able to see the wind turbines from 40 miles away on a clear day. More visible, will be the giant substations that convert the AC to DC current. These will be close to shore and there will be three to eight of them lining our coast. The other thing that will be highly visible is the large service and operation vessels (SOV). Because each wind turbine requires hundreds of gallons of gear oil that must be changed out regularly and other repairs and maintenance, the SOVs will be out there at all times
OFFSHORE WIND MORRO BAY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PORTS VISUAL POLLUTION
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