WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in reintroducing the bipartisan and bicameral Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems (RISEE) Act. The RISEE Act would both amend the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) and create a new dedicated stream of funding from future offshore wind development for coastal protection and resiliency. This will allow for more equitable resource sharing between states, the federal government and conservation programs.

“New England’s coastal towns – including NH’s Seacoast – are on the frontlines of the climate crisis and are vulnerable to rising sea levels. We need federal investments to protect our shorelines that are home to communities and ecosystems alike,” said Shaheen. “I’m cosponsoring the RISEE Act to dedicate funding from offshore wind production to support coastal resiliency projects across the nation. I’ll continue to work across party lines to protect coastal communities.”

The RISEE Act would send 37.5% of offshore wind revenue to adjacent states where offshore wind farms are developed. The state share is based on a formula developed by the Secretary of the Interior to ensure states are receiving revenues from wind energy development off their coasts. By sharing offshore wind revenues with nearby states, the RISEE Act will invest in coastal protection and restoration.

The state funds can be used:

For coastal restoration, hurricane protection, or infrastructure;

To mitigate damage to fish, wildlife, or other natural resources, including through fisheries science and research; and

To implement a marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.

In addition, 12.5% of offshore wind revenues would serve as a further dedicated funding source for the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund. This Fund provides competitive grants to coastal and Great Lakes communities to respond to coastal erosion and sea level rise, restore coastal habitat, and make improvements to coastal infrastructure and would be expanded to provide support to states based on a formula.