SLO County supervisors split on offshore wind energy farms

Board approves legislative platform with support for offshore wind development despite dissent from one supervisor

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to approve a state and federal legislative platform that includes supporting offshore wind energy farms and strengthening support for Proposition 13, despite some disagreement among the supervisors.

Why it matters

The vote highlights the ongoing debate around renewable energy development, particularly offshore wind, in coastal communities. It also shows the continued political divide around Proposition 13 and tax policy in California.

The details

The board initially planned to only approve legislative priorities they unanimously agreed on, but that plan was quickly abandoned. Supervisor Bruce Gibson argued against removing the two-thirds majority required to raise taxes, which Supervisor Jimmy Paulding had previously supported removing but now wanted to reinstate. The board ultimately voted 4-1 to adopt the platform, with Supervisor John Peschong dissenting due to his opposition to wind farms off the Morro Bay coast.

  • The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted on the legislative platform last week.
  • In 2023, Supervisor Jimmy Paulding made a motion to remove support for the two-thirds majority vote required to raise taxes, which the board approved 3-2.

The players

Bruce Gibson

A San Luis Obispo County Supervisor who argued against removing the two-thirds majority required to raise taxes.

Jimmy Paulding

A San Luis Obispo County Supervisor who initially agreed to only approve unanimous legislative priorities, but then made a motion to reinstate support for the two-thirds majority vote required to raise taxes, which he had previously opposed.

John Peschong

A San Luis Obispo County Supervisor who dissented from the 4-1 vote to adopt the legislative platform due to his opposition to wind farms off the Morro Bay coast.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The board's approval of the legislative platform sets the stage for the county to advocate for its priorities at the state and federal level, including support for offshore wind development.

The takeaway

The split vote on the legislative platform highlights the ongoing tensions around renewable energy development and tax policy in San Luis Obispo County, reflecting the broader political divides on these issues in California.