Commercial, Regulation, Sourcing Renewables  -  October 10, 2023

California Governor Signs Wave Energy Legislation into Law

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 605 into law, marking a step forward in bringing a new renewable energy resource to the state.

The legislation calls for an extensive study and assessment of wave and tidal energy potential off California’s 840-mile coastline. 

The bill was introduced by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) and sponsored by AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles and directs the California Energy Commission to work with various state agencies and stakeholders to assess the feasibility, costs, and potential of deploying wave and tidal energy technology across California’s coastline.

AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, a 35-acre ocean technology campus, will add wave energy pilot stations, including Eco Wave Power’s first U.S. onshore wave energy pilot station. AltaSea has also established a coalition of over 30 wave and tidal energy companies to help showcase the technology's potential in California.

“We are grateful that Governor Newsom recognized the vast potential of wave and tidal energy in meeting California’s goals for renewable energy and promoting economic growth through the blue economy,” said Terry Tamminen, President and CEO of AltaSea, in a statement. “We are incredibly proud to have sponsored this landmark legislation, and we look forward to working with the California Energy Commission and our partners to showcase the viability of wave energy.”

California has established 2045 as its deadline to achieve a carbon-free energy grid. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, found wave and tidal energy has the technical feasibility to supply 30% of the energy needs of the U.S. The NREL report also found California’s outer continental shelf has the potential wave energy resources to power 13 million homes.