The West Coast Offshore Wind Hub Convening brought together organizations and advocates from California, Oregon, and Washington for three evenings and two days of learning, collaboration, and connection in Humboldt County, California. Hosted as part of the West Coast Offshore Wind Hub’s ongoing efforts to bring people together, the gathering created space to exchange ideas, share lessons from across the region, and explore what the future of offshore wind could look like. From workforce opportunities and Tribal engagement to community concerns and transmission planning, the convening focused on building relationships, finding common ground, and identifying ways to work together heading into 2027.

Who Blew on By?

The convening brought together a wide range of voices from across the West Coast, including Tribal governments, labor unions, environmental and conservation organizations, community advocates, researchers, and port authorities. Organizations represented in the convening’s RSVP list included:

• BlueGreen Alliance (BGA)
• National Wildlife Federation (NWF)
• United Steelworkers (USW)
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
• Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA)
• Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation
• Blue Lake Rancheria
• CORE Hub
• Sierra Club
• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
• Port of Long Beach

Together, these organizations and many others brought different perspectives, experiences, and ideas to conversations about the West Coast’s offshore wind future.

Three States, One Coast, Plenty to Talk About

Throughout the convening, participants shared updates from California, Oregon, and Washington. They exchanged ideas and joined interactive workshops focused on regional collaboration, Tribal and community benefits, transmission infrastructure, and port development. The gathering also included a tour of the Humboldt Bay port area and a walk through the Samoa Peninsula, giving attendees a firsthand look at where future offshore wind infrastructure could take shape and the communities that could be affected.

Where Opportunity Meets Challenge

Offshore wind presents exciting opportunities for the West Coast, from creating good-paying union jobs and strengthening local economies to investing in ports and clean energy infrastructure. But those opportunities come with important challenges, including transmission needs, environmental justice concerns, and ensuring Tribal governments and local communities have a meaningful role in decisions. Throughout the convening, participants explored how to navigate these challenges together, recognizing that thoughtful planning and early engagement are essential to moving projects forward responsibly.

The Next Wave Starts With Us

If there was one big takeaway from the convening, it was that the future of offshore wind depends just as much on the relationships we build as the infrastructure we develop. While each state and organization brings different priorities and perspectives, participants shared an interest in continuing the conversation, learning from one another, and finding common ground. As the West Coast Offshore Wind Hub looks toward 2027, those connections will help lay the groundwork for stronger regional collaboration and a more community-centered approach to offshore wind development.