December 16, 2025
PORT
Economic Development
DATE: December 16, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Charles Gerard, Port Director
Lizeht Zepeda, Senior Business Assistance Officer
Kyle Lam, Management Analyst
Subject:
Contract with Moffatt & Nichol for the California Energy Commission Offshore Wind Project Grant
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Port of Richmond has been awarded $750,000 in grant funding from the California Energy Commission
(CEC) under Agreement OSW-25-003 for the Offshore
Wind Conceptual Planning Project. The proposed
$750,000 expenditure is funded by the CEC grant and
will require a matching contribution of $105,610 from the Port Enterprise Fund. The budget for the Port Enterprise Fund will be increased by $750,000 for the project, and revenue account will be increased by $750,000.
The proposed contract with Moffatt & Nichol for
conceptual planning and preliminary engineering services will be in the amount of $750,000, funded entirely by the CEC grant, with no impact to the City’s General Fund.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Port of Richmond was awarded a $750,000 grant
from the California Energy Commission (CEC) under
Agreement OSW-25-003, funded through GFO-24-701 –
Offshore Wind Energy Waterfront Facility Improvement
Program. The grant will support conceptual planning,
preliminary engineering, and master planning to evaluate and prepare Port facilities for future offshore-wind-related AGENDA
REPORT
December 16, 2025
uses. City Council approval is required to accept and
appropriate the CEC grant funds, allocate Port Enterprise Fund matching contributions, and approve a contract with Moffatt & Nichol to perform the technical scope of work upon execution of the grant agreement.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to ACCEPT and APPROPRIATE
$750,000 in grant funds from the California Energy
Commission (CEC) and Port Enterprise Fund matching
contributions in the amount of $105,610 into the Fiscal Year 2025–2026 Port Enterprise Fund budget;
APPROVE a contract with Moffatt & Nichol in an amount
not to exceed $750,000, with a term from December 16,
2025, through June 30, 2030; and AUTHORIZE the port
director, or their designee to execute all grant-related documents and agreements required – Economic
Development/Port (Charles Gerard 510-620-6792).
DISCUSSION:
Overview of the CEC Offshore Wind Grant
The California Energy Commission (CEC) administers competitive funding programs that advance offshore-wind planning and infrastructure readiness across the state. On September 30, 2024, the CEC issued Grant Funding Opportunity (GFO)-24-701 – Offshore Wind Energy Waterfront Facility Improvement Program, which provides financial support for conceptual planning, design, and engineering studies to prepare California ports for future offshore-wind energy activities.
Through this solicitation, the Port of Richmond submitted the Offshore Wind Conceptual Planning Project proposal to evaluate terminal capacity, identify potential offshore-wind staging and assembly areas, and inform a Port Master Plan for offshore-wind-related uses. The CEC selected the City’s application for funding under Agreement OSW-25- 003 in the amount of $750,000.
On October 8, 2025, the CEC adopted Resolution No. 25-1008-09c at its Business Meeting, approving the City’s grant agreement and adopting staff’s CEQA findings pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Sections 15262 and 15306, determining the project to be exempt as a planning and feasibility study (Attachment 1).
Consultant Procurement and Selection
In April 2025, the Port issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for conceptual planning, preliminary engineering, and master-planning services related to offshore- wind infrastructure at the Port of Richmond. Moffatt & Nichol submitted the sole response and was determined to be an appropriate, responsible, and responsive proposer based on extensive experience in marine infrastructure, waterfront engineering, and offshore-wind planning for California ports.
December 16, 2025
Pursuant to Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 2.52, the City may enter into professional-services agreements for terms not exceeding five years without additional City Council action. The proposed Moffatt & Nichol contract will commence upon City Council approval, and extend through June 30, 2030, consistent with the CEC grant period and the City’s fiscal-year cycle.
Project Scope and Benefits
The Offshore Wind Conceptual Planning Project will assess existing terminals, wharves, and upland areas to determine the Port’s readiness for offshore-wind staging, assembly, and maintenance operations. Deliverables will include conceptual layouts, infrastructure assessments, preliminary engineering, and cost estimates that will inform long-term capital planning and environmental permitting strategies.
This planning effort represents a critical first step toward positioning the Port of Richmond as a potential host for future offshore-wind activities—an industry expected to generate thousands of high-quality jobs and substantial economic benefits. The project supports both local and statewide goals for renewable-energy development, climate resilience, and sustainable waterfront revitalization.
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution to accept and appropriate $750,000 in California Energy Commission grant funds, along with $105,610 in Port Enterprise Fund matching contributions, into the FY 2025–26 Port Enterprise Fund budget, and approve a contract with Moffatt & Nichol for an amount not to exceed $750,000, with a term from December 16, 2025, through June 30, 2030 (Attachment 2 and 3).
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
This action supports Strategic Goal Area 2 – Increase Revenue and Improve Economic Development, specifically Goal 2.5 – Revitalization of the Port. By investing in offshore- wind planning, the City advances its strategy to diversify Port operations, modernize infrastructure, and expand enterprise revenue in line with Council’s priorities for sustainable economic growth.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – CEC Resolution No. 25-1008-09c
Attachment 2 – Proposed Resolution
Attachment 3 – Proposed Contract with Moffat and Nichol