(a) (1) The commission shall process a consolidated coastal development permit for any new development that requires a coastal development permit and that is associated with, appurtenant to, or necessary for the construction and operation of offshore wind energy projects, and transmission facilities needed for those projects, located in the coastal zone, as defined in this division. Section 30601.3 applies to a consolidated coastal development permit pursuant to this section, except that paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 30601.3 does not apply, and provided that public participation is not substantially impaired by the review of the consolidated coastal development permit.

(2) Upon receipt of an application for purposes of this subdivision, the commission shall forward the application to local governmental agencies having land use and related jurisdiction in the area in which the project would occur. The local governmental agencies may review the application and submit comments on, among other things, applicable provisions of the local coastal program and other appropriate aspects of the design, construction, or operation of the proposed site and related facility.

(3) The commission shall coordinate with affected local governmental agencies to incorporate or otherwise address their recommendations in the final consolidated coastal development permit, including measures to address impacts from offshore wind development and respond to community needs, consistent with this division.

(4) The commission shall engage with federally recognized and nonfederally recognized California Native American tribes with fisheries that could be affected by future development associated with a lease for an offshore wind energy project on all elements of the lessees’ project development process, including measures to address impacts from offshore wind development and respond to community needs, consistent with the commission’s tribal consultation policy.

(5) To avoid duplication and to increase regulatory efficiency, the commission and the State Lands Commission shall coordinate with relevant local, state, and federal agencies to encourage and facilitate the preparation of joint environmental documents pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000)) and the federal National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq.) for projects proposed pursuant to this section.

(b) (1) The State Lands Commission shall be the lead agency for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act for offshore wind energy projects pursuant to this division and shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, all environmental documents required by law.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not affect the determination of which entity shall serve as a lead agency for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act for projects undertaken pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 30700).

(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 386, Sec. 3. (SB 286) Effective January 1, 2024.)