State Lands Commission Meeting Recap
For Immediate Release
Monday, December 23, 2024
Contact: Press@ltg.ca.gov, (916) 445-8994
SACRAMENTO — Last week, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis joined the final State Lands Commission meeting of 2024. The meeting highlighted groundbreaking progress, including transformative clean energy partnerships, decisive action on environmental crises, and reflections on impactful leadership.
View the full recording of the State Lands Commission meeting here.
Offshore Wind Energy Partnership with California Ports
The California State Lands Commission announced a transformative agreement with the Ports of Long Beach and Humboldt to propel floating offshore wind energy development along the California coast. This partnership paves the way for upgrading critical port infrastructure, aligning with California’s goal of achieving 100% carbon-free energy by 2045 while creating thousands of high-quality jobs.
“This agreement is a monumental step forward in California’s clean energy journey. It underscores our commitment to responsibly, sustainably, and equitably developing offshore wind while uplifting Native American tribes, local communities, and underserved populations.”
Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis
Tijuana River Sewage Crisis Updates
During the meeting, the Commission voted to authorize a letter to the Biden Administration requesting enhanced prioritization and federal support to address the sewage crisis in the Tijuana River Valley. The crisis continues to impair public health and degrade the environment, requiring immediate and comprehensive action and funding.
Last week, local, state, and federal agencies gathered near the southern border to cut the ribbon on a 450-foot-long trash boom in the Tijuana River Valley to address the ongoing sewage crisis. Funded by the Newsom Administration as part of a $35 million initiative to address the Tijuana River’s sewage crisis, the $4.7 million project is designed to intercept debris like tires and plastics flowing from Mexico into California.
For more information regarding the announcement, visit the Governor’s press release here.
Jennifer Lucchesi’s Last Day
This Commission meeting also recognized Executive Officer Jennifer Lucchesi’s last day with the State Lands Commission. Jennifer has worked for the Commission since November 1999 and was appointed Executive Officer in December 2012. Jennifer has worked on land use, waterfront redevelopment, and boundary issues involving ports, harbor districts, and waterways, including title settlements and land exchanges, to facilitate redevelopment projects.
“It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside Jennifer Lucchesi during my time as Lieutenant Governor. Her dedication and expertise in managing California’s public lands have left an indelible mark on our state. While we will deeply miss her leadership at the State Lands Commission, I am thrilled for her next chapter as Director of the Department of Conservation. I am confident she will continue championing innovative solutions for California’s brighter future.”
Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis
ABOUT THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR:
The Lieutenant Governor serves on and rotates with the State Controller as chair of the three-member State Lands Commission, which oversees the control and leasing of millions of acres of state-owned land, including offshore oil resources, as well as use and permitting for all navigable waterways in California. The Commission also manages state land-use planning, revenues, and related interstate issues. During alternate years, when the Lieutenant Governor serves as Chairperson of the State Lands Commission, she also serves as a California Ocean Protection Council member and a non-voting member of the California Coastal Commission.
ABOUT THE STATE LANDS COMMISSION:
The State Lands Commission is the California Environmental Quality Act lead agency for offshore wind energy projects and is responsible for enforcing tideland trust principles. The Commission manages over 4 million acres of public land in California.
For more information, please visit slc.ca.gov.