EcoNews Report

Author: The Green Gang

A weekly environmental news roundup produced in Arcata, California by Tom Wheeler (Environmental Protection Information Center), Alicia Hamann (Friends of the Eel River), Jen Kalt (Humboldt Waterkeeper) and Colin Fiske (Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities). 
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Language: en-us

Genres: Natural Sciences, News, Science

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Transmission Upgrades for Offshore Wind
Episode 268
Saturday, 7 March, 2026

For offshore wind to fight climate change, that power needs to reach the larger statewide grid where it can replace fossil fuel electricity generation. The catch? Humboldt's current transmission lines are too small to transmit that power out of Humboldt. New transmission infrastructure has been proposed to solve this problem, with the California Independent System Operator selecting Viridon to build new 500kV transmission lines. While this is a big project, new analysis from the Schatz Energy Research Center found that the cost to California ratepayers is low, about $1.68 per year. Tanner Etherton, Awbrey Yost and Jim Zoellick from Schatz join the show to nerd out over transmission infrastructure planning.For more info, check out these recently-released Schatz reports:North Coast Offshore Wind Transmission Infrastructure Ratepayer Cost Impact AnalysisPower Behind the Redwood Curtain: A History of Electric Transmission and Natural Gas Infrastructure in Humboldt County Have other questions about offshore wind? Check out northcoastoffshorewind.org.Support the show