Frankie Myers, vice chair of the Yurok Tribe, spoke earlier this month at a California offshore wind conference in Sacramento. He told offshore wind companies that now is the time to ensure tribal voices are heard.
The Pacific Offshore Wind Summit drew state legislators, offshore wind companies and other officials to talk about the future of offshore wind. One of the major land leases auctioned to wind companies in late 2022 is off the coast of Humboldt County.
To meet climate goals, California has been seeking new sources of electricity without fossil fuels, and wind energy is a major contender.
“Regardless of what the ultimate goal is, as tribal people, we’ve suffered at the hands of good intentions,” said Myers in his address.
The viewshed into the Pacific Ocean is where people look when practicing the world renewal ceremony, he said. In a CalMatters commentary from January, he wrote that the top of mountains looking over the ocean is one of the last places to see the world through the eyes of their ancestors.
Myers said it was important for Yurok people to make sure they engage because the view shed used today in cultural practices is one of the last that hasn’t been changed.
The country is asking for tribal people to give up sacred sites for progress, he said, adding that tribal communities are faced again with a decision that impacts future generations and those who came before them.
“We look at the need to combat climate change, absolutely. Yurok, we are world renewal people — we understand we have a role here on this planet and what we do affects the world around us,” he said.
But he compared the excitement and the drive for renewable energy and offshore wind to extraction industries. In a hearing, he said the tribe has not come out in opposition or support of wind energy.
“We have to do it differently than we have for the last 150 years. We have to do it differently than we did with the petroleum industry. We have to do it differently than we did with the logging industry, the fishing industry and the gold rush,” he said.
He said if you’re an offshore wind company, you should ensure that if there is no tribal participation now, there will be.
In an address, state Sen. Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) spoke again of the challenges the North Coast faces, especially transmission.
“I’m going to be really honest, I believe that is the Achilles heel, and where this state needs to focus most,” he said.
He added the state is reviewing existing transmission systems to meet clean energy goals.
The North Coast could generate power for the state at large, and McGuire said this will revitalize coastal economies and provide good jobs.
McGuire also spoke about Senate Bill 286, the Offshore Wind Expediting Act that he says will cut three to five years off the permitting approval process and make joint environmental documents with the federal government.
Sage Alexander can be reached at 707-441-0504.
