Sacramento — Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire, Chair of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture (JCFA), is gearing up for this Wednesday’s hearing in the State Capitol focused on California’s burgeoning offshore wind industry. This hearing will explore how to expedite the deployment of green energy while protecting the interests of California’s fishing fleet and ensuring coastal environmental safeguards remain in place.

For the first time, the hearing will bring all sides of the issue together for a groundbreaking discussion that will feature representatives from federal and state agencies, tribal leaders, offshore wind industry representatives, representatives from the fishing fleet, labor leaders and environmental organizations.

Presenters will focus on why offshore wind energy is essential to the State's green energy future and energy supply, the need to incorporate fish and wildlife in the development process, and how wind energy can be compatible with the protection of California’s fisheries.

“This first-of-its-kind hearing will bring all sides of the offshore wind discussion together, ensuring the State can expedite the deployment of this valuable energy resource while protecting the interests of California’s storied fishing fleet and guaranteeing coastal environmental safeguards,” said Senator McGuire. “It’s critical to have these voices at the same table as we develop the roadmap for offshore energy, healthy oceans and a thriving fishing fleet to co-exist here in the Golden State.”

The hearing begins at 2 p.m. TOMORROW, Wednesday, May 17^th in the State Capitol Swing Space, 1021 O Street, Room 2100. The public is welcome to attend the hearing.

The hearing will be live-streamed via the Senate web site: http://senate.ca.gov/. For more information about the hearing, visit the Committee web site at: http://fisheries.legislature.ca.gov/