Delahunt Renews Push For Federal Ocean Zoning Legislation

03/03/2008

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Delahunt today announced his co-sponsorship of the Coastal State Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2008, to identify areas in state and adjacent federal waters suitable for offshore renewable energy projects.

"In Europe, governments have established very ambitious and comprehensive programs to identify the best sites for new offshore renewable energy, promoting cutting edge technology while at the same time protecting shipping lanes, fishing grounds and important coastal habitat," Delahunt said. "Unless we match these efforts here in the United States, we will fall further behind in the global competition to develop these new industries."

The Coastal State Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2008, HR 5452, is similar to a legislative proposal that Congressman Delahunt  introduced in 2003, which authorized the use of federal waters for renewable energy, and provided funds to state Coastal Zone Management offices to identify sites for offshore projects. 

Congress approved the authorization to lease federal waters for offshore renewable energy in 2005, but has yet to adopt the planning and zoning component of Delahunt's original proposal.   In this Congress, Delahunt has joined with Representative Lois Capps (D-CA) who has taken the lead, to revive it and enact it into law. 

This new and updated legislative proposal does the following:

  • Authorizes grants to coastal states to support local efforts to survey coastal and adjacent federal waters for the exploration, development, and production of renewable energy.
  • Funds surveys to cover the full spectrum of coastal waters, from ocean topography to sensitive marine ecosystems to locations capable of supporting infrastructure for renewable energy development.
  • Areas identified as preferred areas for potential renewable energy development under surveys conducted with assistance under this section shall be given priority consideration by Federal agencies for the siting, licensing, leasing, or permitting of renewable energy facilities.
  • This Act does not supersede or preempt existing Federal authority to regulate energy development in the Outer Continental Shelf, nor does it grant new authorities to coastal states.

Delahunt is a strong supporter of offshore renewable energy from sources such as wave, tidal and wind and has cosponsored legislation to finance and promote these new technologies.  He supports funding for Coastal Zone Management programs to guide future projects to appropriate areas.  He has even urged state and local officials in Massachusetts to support similar efforts.  The Massachusetts legislature is currently reviewing proposals to establish a state-wide ocean zoning program. Delahunt is hopeful that the Commonwealth could use funds from this federal initiative to help to underwrite what is ultimately adopted. 

“Our ocean has now become the "wild west" where energy companies are staking claims to develop the sea,” Delahunt said. "But in Europe that sites can be quickly developed if they are predesignated with input from mariners, scientists and local communities and based on our best science."

The Coastal State Renewable Energy Promotion Act was discussed at this week's hearing of the Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee.  

Among those testifying in strong support of the proposal was Robert Bailey, of the Coastal States Organization (CSO).  The CSO is the leading voice representing coastal states. He stated that HR 5452 would enable states to plan and assess their coastal waters properly, and identify areas where development is appropriate and where it is not.

“As much as we all want clean, renewable energy, I know firsthand that the rush to develop wind, wave and tidal energy is placing unprecedented pressures on coastal states to plan for these new uses and to balance them with existing economic and environmental uses and values,” Bailey said.

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