Wind turbine under construction at Vineyard 1, located off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, in April 2024. Photo: Maia Cheli, Schatz Energy Research Center.
The consortium connects researchers and stakeholders from three communities currently sited for offshore wind development to use their collective expertise to “co-develop best practices” for the burgeoning industry.
“We need scientists, advocates, naturalists, historians, fisheries practitioners, regulators, developers, and cultural leaders, from across our communities to work together to evaluate and weigh potential impacts … to make any projects that are built here the best that they can be,” Schatz’s Senior Development Manager Maia Cheli told the Outpost. “By collaborating on research, expanding workforce and professional training opportunities in ways that respect and empower our tribes and local communities … we hope to further equity and to protect our coastal and marine ecosystems.”
The Port of Humboldt Bay is in a unique position to become the epicenter of offshore wind energy manufacturing and distribution on the West Coast. In fact, Humboldt Bay is the only port on the West Coast that has the capacity to host all three of the primary port needs of the offshore wind industry: staging and integration, onsite manufacturing and operations and maintenance.
But before any of that can happen, the local energy transmission system must be expanded to accommodate the power generated by a commercial-scale offshore wind farm. As it stands, there are only a handful of transmission lines running in and out of Humboldt County, none of which have the capacity to accommodate the massive amount of power that the proposed development would generate.
“[W]e would need to have significant overland transmission system expansion in order to accommodate the power generated by the wind farms,” Cheli said. “While it’s unlikely that we will have major supply chain manufacturing here, many of the components will ultimately need to transit through our bay and coastal region.”
Press release from the Schatz Energy Research Center:
A new West Coast collaboration for offshore wind science was announced in Sacramento today. The Pacific Offshore Wind Consortium (POWC) is a joint effort between three research centers: the Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt, the Pacific Marine Energy Center at Oregon State University, and the Center for Coastal Marine Sciences at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Together, these universities are housed in and support the coastal communities in California and Oregon which are anticipated to host floating offshore wind development. The POWC (pronounced pow-sea) will enable universities, host communities, and Tribal nations to share resources, co-develop best practices, and design comprehensive research programs that reflect the dynamic nature of the ocean environment and the diversity of community perspectives.
The consortium will advance three pillars: (i) research and innovation, (ii) university-level workforce education and professional development, and (iii) community and Tribal engagement and knowledge exchange.
Expertise from three universities
The Schatz Energy Research Center is located in the Humboldt Bay Area, which is preparing to house one of only two feasible staging and integration ports in California for offshore wind deployment. Humboldt is also home to two wind lease areas, which begin 20 miles offshore and span 207 square miles. Since 2018, the Schatz Center has published over 30 reports on topics ranging from transmission expansion to seabird vulnerability, in an effort to understand the feasibility of offshore wind, and to identify critical environmental and community needs that would be associated with its development. The Schatz Center works in close partnership with Tribal Nations, county services, and state government to design innovative solutions for clean power generation and energy resilience.
“We are coming together as a consortium because we know we need to take bold action to address climate change, and offshore wind has potential to play an important role. We also know that the transition to clean energy needs to happen in a way that is inclusive, equitable, and environmentally responsible,” says Arne Jacobson, Director of the Schatz Center. “As universities embedded in the regions where offshore wind is proposed, we have a special role to play, and – working in collaboration with partners – we can help generate the knowledge needed to transform our energy system in a way that does right by our communities and the planet.”
Environmental research for offshore wind includes baseline surveys, behavioral assessments, data integration and modeling, monitoring for protected species, planned mitigation, pathways for adaptive management, and transfer of lessons learned. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is home to the Center for Coastal Marine Sciences, which has a history of interdisciplinary, applied research to address a range of management issues for the Central Coast. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo works collaboratively with a variety of interest groups in the Morro Bay Area to promote and design effective environmental monitoring for offshore wind. The Morro Bay Wind Energy Area covers 376 square miles across three wind lease areas.
“It will be essential that any offshore wind energy projects are developed in environmentally and socially responsible ways,” says Benjamin Ruttenberg, Director of the Center of Coastal Marine Sciences. “While many of the key issues are common across regions, some will be area-specific. The diverse expertise across the POWC institutions, along with their deep understanding of local communities and regional environmental issues, makes this group extremely well-qualified to be a neutral and trusted source to generate and summarize scientific information that can inform and guide the conversations about whether and how to deploy offshore wind.”
The Pacific Marine Energy Center (PMEC) at Oregon State University brings over 15 years of experience investigating the technical, environmental, and social dimensions of offshore energy, and expanding scientific understanding, engaging stakeholders, and educating students. The Hatfield Marine Science Center at OSU serves as a hub for research on potential ecological effects of offshore renewable energy, while the PacWave test site demonstrates in-water activities and potential issues associated with offshore energy projects, such as seabed surveys, cable laying, construction and operational noise, and electromagnetic fields (EMF). PMEC also conducts significant hydrodynamic and aerodynamic studies of offshore wind platforms at the Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory. The State of Oregon is now considering how offshore wind could be incorporated with the environment, existing ocean uses, cultures, and communities, as lease sales for offshore floating wind sites are expected in fall 2024.
“This consortium will leverage the experience and expertise of the three partner universities and provide consistency of approach to evaluation of offshore wind along the west coast,” says Sarah Henkel, Associate Director of the Pacific Marine Energy Center at OSU. “We are excited that through this consortium we will have additional support to engage with our local communities, continue our regional ecological investigations, focus on development of next generation platform design, as well as collaborate and share findings to build a comprehensive understanding of outcomes related to potential offshore wind deployment.”
POWC Advisory Committee
The POWC will support interdisciplinary understanding across academia, industry, agencies, community organizations, and Tribal Nations. This breadth is reflected in the consortium’s Advisory Committee, which recently convened for its inaugural meeting. As a non-governing committee, the advisory group will provide guidance and advance discussion and collaboration in the offshore wind space. Founding members include representatives from: Tribal Nations: the Hon. Jason Ramos and Heidi Moore-Guynup, Blue Lake Rancheria, Linnea Jackson, Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District, and Michael Gerace, the Hon. Lana McCovey and the Hon. Philip Williams, Yurok Tribe; State agencies: Jenn Eckerle and Justine Kimball, California Natural Resources Agency / California Ocean Protection Council, Katerina Robinson and Jessica Eckdish, California Energy Commission, Andy Lanier, Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, and Jason Sierman, Oregon Department of Energy; Federal labs, agencies, and Sea Grant partnerships: Alicia Mahon, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Karina Nielsen, Oregon Sea Grant, Shauna Oh, California Sea Grant and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Eric P. Bjorkstedt, NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Science Division and Department of Fisheries Biology, Cal Poly Humboldt; Philanthropy: Curtis Seymour, AC Strategies; and the Offshore wind industry: Ciara Emery and Joel Southall, RWE Offshore Wind Holdings, LLC, and Laura Nagy and Erik Peckar, Vineyard Offshore.
“The Blue Lake Rancheria recognises the urgency of the climate crisis and intends to leverage their knowledge and resources to continue to advance clean energy innovations,” says Heidi Moore-Guynup, Director of Tribal and Government Affairs at the Blue Lake Rancheria (BLR). “At the same time, BLR understands the imperative need to coordinate scientific inquiry and research and believes that Traditional Ecological Knowledge must be part of such inquiry. BLR is honored to serve on the POWC advisory committee and looks forward to uplifting the findings of this consortium.”
”Oregon Sea Grant understands the broad spectrum of challenges and opportunities that floating offshore wind energy brings to the US West Coast. There is a clear and urgent need for regional integration of science and knowledge across many disciplines to enable responsible development of offshore wind energy,” said Karina Nielsen, Director of Oregon Sea Grant. “We look forward to partnering with POWC, our sister Sea Grant programs in California and Washington, the National Sea Grant Offshore Wind Energy Liaison, and other partners to support co-developed research and community education to help our coastal communities and marine ecosystems thrive.”
POWC funding
Over $12 million in current grant funding, primarily from state and federal agencies, supports offshore renewables research and project work at the three centers. Additionally, the POWC itself has received commitments for $1.6 million in starting funds from private donors and industry.
“Growing an offshore wind industry that’s responsible, equitable and inclusive requires sustained commitments and deep collaboration,” said Alicia Barton, CEO of Vineyard Offshore. “We are delighted to support and participate in the new Pacific Offshore Wind Consortium. Anchored by three world-class research institutions, the Consortium will foster meaningful engagement, research and collaboration within the west coast offshore wind industry. Our partnership in this effort reinforces Vineyard Offshore’s dedication to enhancing opportunities for Tribal Nations, underserved communities, and local businesses while preparing students and others for careers in this burgeoning field.”
“We’re proud to be supporting the world-class research of Cal Poly Humboldt, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Oregon State University and to contribute to an effort that meets the needs of the Humboldt region,” said Sam Eaton, CEO of RWE US Offshore Wind Holdings. “Community engagement is a core principle of RWE’s approach to developing offshore wind projects, including our Canopy Offshore Wind project off of Northern California. The Humboldt community will help us shape this project as well as the future of offshore wind on the Pacific Coast. Offshore wind will play an essential role in our clean energy future, job creation and local economic development, and the Pacific Offshore Wind Consortium’s work will provide valuable insights into the responsible development of this renewable resource.”
PG&E is going to be conducting helicopter patrols in southern Humboldt starting tomorrow, May 15 and flying through Sunday, May 19. The patrols are for compliance inspections. The helicopters will be flying during daylight hours and will be surveying PG&E equipment in the following areas: Garberville, Alderpoint, Blocksburg, Bell Springs, Ruth Lake, Dinsmore, Bridgeville and Myers Flat/Fruitland.
We know that residents in the Humboldt County area often have questions when they see helicopters flying overhead. We are aware that customers value their privacy and want to reassure the public that PG&E is only looking at our equipment. If you could help get the word out to your audience, we would appreciate it.
Kenneth Ray Wittenberg passed away suddenly on April 22, 2024. He left behind his wife and high school sweetheart of almost 55 years, Ronda Wittenberg, and two daughters, Jenna Wittenberg and Emily Wittenberg (David Shiriwastaw). Ken was a devoted family man, nothing surpassing his love of family. Often described as a man with nine lives, his life’s adventures were not without risk — he capsized in the ocean, was lost in the woods, stalked by a bear, stranded in snowy mountains and experienced numerous construction near misses. He was a man known to never give up — in life, work or play. However, he was ultimately taken by natural causes from a well-worn body.
Ken was born on June 5, 1949, to Arnold and Evelyn Wittenberg in Bakersfield, CA, the oldest son of a family of five children. Being raised on a chicken and poultry ranch, he learned to be a hard worker from a very early age. He often shared his ranch stories with anyone who was interested — baby chicks at Easter, being the most popular kid in school at Halloween for his easy access to eggs for mischievous activities, how he accidentally burned down the family’s barn at the tender age of four, and the consequences he faced. The ranch taught him how to work long hard hours seven days a week.
Once in high school he developed a love of sports. In order to play football, he made an agreement with his dad that he would continue with his daily ranch chores if allowed to play. Begrudgingly, his dad agreed believing it would not be possible, and he couldn’t afford to lose his best ranch hand. Ken held to his promise and his dad became his most ardent supporter, never missing a game to cheer on his son. Ken was awarded for his efforts by being named as football’s MVP his senior year at Shafter High School in 1966-67. Not satisfied by participating in a single sport, Ken also competed in wrestling and shot put, lettering every year in all his participating sports. Ken was voted most athletic by his senior class. He went on to play football at Bakersfield Junior College (1967-1968) and Humboldt State University, now Cal Poly Humboldt, (1969-1972). As an alumnus, he was frequently in the stands cheering for many of the Cal Poly Humboldt men’s and women’s games over the years. Many seasons were spent in the stands watching his own girls cheer during Pop Warner, junior high and high school sports games, with the bonus of a football or basketball game in the background. He would never leave a game until the final whistle was blown, ever.
Ken enjoyed an equally rich professional life in Humboldt County where he lived his entire adult life, bringing with him the many life skills he learned during his youth while working on his family’s ranch in Shafter, Calif. While attending HSU full-time, majoring in kinesiology with a minor in biology, intending to teach/coach, he also worked full-time in the local lumber mills pulling green chain and cleaning the bleachers on Sundays after the Saturday football games. It was a tough, busy life but nothing he wasn’t used to. After graduating from HSU in 1972, during his year of student teaching, he realized this wasn’t the profession for him. So he accepted a job hauling logs out of the woods to the mills. It paid well and kept him outdoors, which he loved, and later he added commercial fishing to his repertoire, another love. As the mills began closing, he switched to what became a short six-month real estate career, but one which led him to his final career choice as a general building contractor. He quickly realized he would rather build homes than sell them. He was happy being outdoors, working with his hands and having something to show for his efforts after a long day. He worked in the building trade for over 35 years before retiring in 2011, having spent a couple of years learning the trade, other years as part of a partnership and eventually building solo. He valued all the relationships he developed along the way. He treated everyone as a friend, not a competitor or a business associate; he was a man of integrity and fierce loyalty to all those he valued.
At 62, he was ready to embrace retirement life. He always enjoyed trips with family and friends, and the hunting and fishing trips with the guys, but retirement afforded him a new level of travel. After seeing much of the US, he found he thoroughly enjoyed traveling out of the country to faraway places, highlights being family trips to Prague and Ireland. During his free time, he kept busy tending and harvesting his vegetable garden, tinkering in his shop, and visiting with neighbors and friends, always offering to lend a hand with their projects when needed. He even joined a gym for a water aerobics class and became one of the ‘pool boys’ as referenced at home. His only requirement in taking an earlier retirement than his wife was to prepare her dinner each night, which he totally embraced. Ken had very few regrets in life.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents Arnold and Eveyln Wittenberg and his two older sisters Ruth McGraw (Gene) and Dora Bradford; survived by his two younger brothers Charles Wittenberg (Karen) and Arnold Dean Wittenberg (Terri).
Ken’s Celebration of Life is being planned for Sunday, July 14, 2 p.m., Redd Family Shop (4455 Union Street, Eureka, CA) by family and friends to give him a final, worthy send off. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Ocean Conservancy at oceanconservancy.org or a charity of your choice.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Ken Wittenberg’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
Transition
to life on March 30, 1951 Transition to death April 18, 2024
On
a beautiful March day in 1951, Joannie became the blessing of John and Jean
Walker in the city of Eureka. Joannie was the middle sibling
of three children born to John and Jean Walker.
Joannie loved
adventure. She enjoyed many ski trips and vacations with family and
her host of friends. Each of her friends can tell stories about the
many fun adventures they had with Joannie.
Joannie was a proud
enrolled member of the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the
Trinidad Rancheria.
Joannie met and married Frank Berger. They were
married for many years and out of that union she had two wonderful
children, Jay and Mike Berger. When her first marriage ended Joannie
was blesssed to find love again with Ken Bomar, who was the love of her
life — they shared many wonderful moments together until his death.
Joannie had a long battle with her health. She fought bravely until
she was ready to be at peace with her Creator. Joannie transitioned
to be with the Creator on April 18, 2024 at 5:30 a.m.
She was surrounded by family and friends who all
came to help send her off. Joannie is survived by her loving mother
Jean Walker, first husband Frank Berger, her grandchildren Hailey and
Hunter Ervin, Damien, Kyle, and Tyren Berger. Her great-granddaughter
Charlee Jo and a host of Tribal family and friends.
Joannie was
proceeded in death by her husband Ken Bomar, both of her children,
daughter Jay and son Michael Berger, her father John Walker, her
sisters Vicki and Terri Walker, her bothers Johnny and Larry Walker.
Joannie loved to be on the Klamath River at her family cabin. She had
such wonderful family memories that were made there. Joannie
requested that wonderful place to be where she would be laid to rest
with her husband, her children and her brother.
The family would
like to thank Ayres Family Cremation for handling all arrangements.
Special thanks to all her nurses and doctors that gave her such
compassionate care over the years, and thank you to Broadway medical
for your assistance so she could spend her last day at home
surrounded by those that loved her most.
A
limb has fallen from the family tree Grieve
not for me Remember the best times The
laughter, the song The
good life I lived While
I was strong Keep
smiling and surely The
sun will shine through So
keep up your chin Until
the day comes We’re
together again….
We
will be celebrating Joannie’s life on June 2, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Sunset Bar and Grill 27 Scenic Dr,
Trinidad, CA 95570. Please RSVP with Mimi Aubrey if you are attending
by calling 707-572-9402. In remeberence of Joannie and in lieu of
flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Joannie’s name
to the National Kidney Foundation or the American Kidney Fund. Thank
you
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Joannie Bomar’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
Michael Joseph Allison passed away suddenly after a long illness at his home in Trinidad, surrounded by his loving wife, and two beloved dogs Puffin and Elliot, on April 23, 2024.
He was born September 19, 1948 to Dorothy and Lewis Allison of Long Beach, California. Growing up close to the ocean in Long Beach, Mike spent summers and after school time sailing on Alamitos Bay and surfing at Huntington Beach. He learned how to sail at a very young age, and sailing became one of his greatest passions. As an adult, he loved offshore sailboat racing and later, racing on the Great Salt Lake. His love of the sea endured throughout his life.
Mike attended UC Irvine and UCLA, with a major in English literature. He was a technology entrepreneur and also led many sales and marketing organizations. Early in his career, he organized and was CEO of the first U. S. subsidiary of a large Japanese technology company. Later, he went on to lead technology company sales and marketing organizations, including one that pioneered the first speech recognition software.
Mike met his wife, Susan, in Salt Lake City and they were married in 1999 on Orcas Island, Wash. Over the span of their 25 year marriage, they lived all across the western US. They shared a love of sailing and the ocean and sailed as often as possible. No matter where they lived, dogs and sailing were part of the fabric of their life. Their love for each other knew no bounds.
Mike is survived by his loving wife, Susan; two sons from a previous marriage: Lee Allison (Wendy) of San Diego, William Allison (Natalie) of Long Beach. From a later marriage, he is survived by two sons Matthew Allison (Svitlana) of Greensboro, NC, and Christopher Allison of Salt Lake City; and daughter Jennifer Villasenor (Joe) of Salt Lake City and step daughter Nicole (Marco) Leon of Dana Point. He is also survived by his dear siblings Lewis (Beverly) of New York City, Brian (Eva) of Denver, and Helene Arrieta of Brentwood, Calif. Mike is preceded in death by brothers Larry Allison Sr of Laguna Beach, Jack Allison of Laguna Niguel, and nephew Larry Allison Jr of Laguna Beach.
Mike lived a rich and beautiful life, he was deeply loved and his loss is incalculable. Home is the sailor, home from the sea.
A memorial will be held June 16 in Southern California.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Mike Allison’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
At the scene of the April 25 shooting | Photo: Andrew Goff
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has released more info on the officer-involved shooting that took place in Cutten on April 25, revealing Lieutenant Conan Moore to be the deputy who fired the shot that would result in the death of 32-year-old Kevin Burks in a hospital two days later.
The sheriff’s office notes in the release below that Lt. Moore, a 15-year law enforcement veteran, is currently on paid leave.
The Humboldt County Sheriff Deputy involved in the April 25, 2024 officer involved shooting is
Lieutenant Conan Moore. Lieutenant Moore has over fifteen years of law enforcement service
with the Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Moore remains on paid leave.
On April 27, 2024, suspect Kevin Jeffrey Burks (DOB 06/30/1991) succumbed to the injuries he
sustained during the critical incident. A forensic autopsy has been performed and Burk’s
immediate cause of death was due to a gunshot wound to the chest.
Immediately after the incident occurred, the involved 75-year-old female victim was transported to
an out of the area hospital for treatment. She has since been released to the care of a
rehabilitation facility where she is undergoing continued treatment.
This case is still under investigation by the Humboldt County Critical Incident Response Team
(CIRT).
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707)
268-2539.
Assemblymember Tri Ta was one of several California lawmakers of Vietnamese descent who protested Los Angeles County’s designation of Jane Fonda Day. Photo by Rahul Lal for CalMatters
As Saigon was falling, Janet Nguyen’s uncle – an officer in the South Vietnamese Army – was taken before his village and executed. After the city fell on April 30, 1975, the communists put Nguyen’s father and mother in jail. Their “crime?” They got caught trying to escape the country.
After Saigon fell, Tri Ta’s father spent years in a re-education camp prison. His “crime?” He wrote books critical of communism.
Both Nguyen and Ta eventually made it to California with their families. She became a California state senator and he became a member of the Assembly. The Republicans represent Orange County districts home to the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam.Forty-nine years after the Fall of Saigon, April 30 remains a solemn day for Nguyen and Ta as it is for many of 2.3 million Vietnamese-Americans in the U.S. They call it Black April.
“It’s a day that we mourn,” Nguyen said.
Which is why Ta and Nguyen were outraged when leaders of neighboring Los Angeles County declared April 30 “Jane Fonda Day” to honor the celebrity for her environmental activism. The lawmakers immediately began pressuring officials to rescind the recognition.
To many Vietnam veterans and refugees, Fonda more than earned her pejorative nickname “Hanoi Jane” when she traveled to North Vietnam during the war, was interviewed for communist radio broadcasts and had photos taken with North Vietnamese Army soldiers and their anti-aircraft guns.
On Thursday, the Los Angeles County Supervisors announced they would change the date to another in April during Earth Month “out of respect for the community voices who have spoken up.”
The decision to honor Fonda on such a solemn day for Vietnamese Americans wasn’t intentional, said Constance Farrell, a spokesperson for Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who chairs the Los Angeles County board. Rather, Farrell said that date was chosen because it fell on a scheduled meeting where board members routinely issue proclamations honoring people and organizations.
Why Vietnamese-American lawmakers were upset
Ta and his Democratic colleague, Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen of Elk Grove, wrote a letter last week signed by nearly every Republican Assemblymember urging the L.A. County supervisors to rescind the proclamation.“This honor for Ms. Fonda is an affront to the service and sacrifice of American and South Vietnamese soldiers who gave everything in the cause of freedom,” their letter said.
Stephanie Nguyen, a daughter of Vietnamese refugees who grew up in Sacramento’s Little Saigon neighborhood, didn’t respond to CalMatters’ interview requests.
Fonda didn’t return CalMatters’ request for comment sent to her publicists, but Fonda has since apologized for the photos with the anti-aircraft guns that may have been used to shoot down American pilots, saying she never intended to appear to be against American troops, merely against the war.
Ta and Janet Nguyen said they were relieved the board chose to change the date honoring Fonda, but they said it was nonetheless frustrating how easily the leaders of the state’s most populated county forgot the shared experience of Vietnamese-Americans families that escaped an oppressive communist regime. There are 521,100 Vietnamese Americans in California.
“I was really, really upset because (Black April) is a really sad day for almost every Vietnamese American here,” said Ta, who recently appeared on the Assembly floor in a dark blue traditional Vietnamese outfit.
Janet Nguyen was dressed in black when she attended Black April services in her district. When she learned of the Los Angeles County supervisors’ decision, she said she quickly began calling and urging them to reconsider.“I pleaded to them that, you know, if you’re not going to rescind that, you at least change the date,” Nguyen said. “April 30 is not the day.” She said she’d prefer the supervisors pick a day that wasn’t in April.
Janet Nguyen opposes communism
It’s not the first time California’s Vietnamese-American community has pressured politicians to rescind measures that Vietnamese Americans found offensive.
In 2017, then-Assemblymember Rob Bonta authored legislation that would have repealed a 1953 law that allows California governments to fire communists.
At the time, Janet Nguyen called Bonta’s bill “an incredible insult to Californians who have escaped communism.”
State Sen. Janet Nguyen, a Huntington Beach Republican, votes during session at the state Capitol in Sacramento on Aug. 30, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters
Bonta, now California’s attorney general, apologized and rescinded his bill.
“Through my conversations with veterans and members of the Vietnamese American community, I heard compelling stories of how AB 22 caused real distress and hurt for proud and honorable people,” Bonta said at the time. “For that, I am sorry.”
Janet Nguyen is running for Orange County supervisor. But before she leaves the Senate at the end of the year, she’s made it a point to introduce anti-communism measures in a state known for its leftist politics.
She introduced a resolution declaring Nov. 7 “Victims of Communism Day, in memory of the 100 million people who have fallen victim to communist regimes across the world.” The resolution passed the state Senate last year. She also has a bill pending that would allow a nonprofit organization to construct a memorial to the victims of communism on the state Capitol grounds. It passed the Senate in April. Neither measure had any opposition.
“Vietnamese refugees coming here, we treasure democracy and freedom,” she told CalMatters. “And we treasure our voice. And so we don’t want anybody to have to live through what we’ve lived through.”
