House Natural Resources Committee Has an Opportunity to Embrace Offshore Wind

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For Immediate Release: Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Contact: Justin Williams, (202) 465-8464, jwilliams@nullnoia.org

House Natural Resources Committee Has an Opportunity to Embrace Offshore Wind

Washington, D.C. –National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik G. Milito issued the following statement regarding today’s House Committee on Natural Resources markup of legislation impacting offshore energy development:

“Today’s Natural Resources Committee markup included a mixed bag of legislation impacting energy production, particularly offshore wind development. To begin with, H.R. 5552, the Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2020, is a step in the wrong direction. We are not that far removed from real world examples of arbitrary and punitive applications of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). H.R. 5552 would reestablish regulatory uncertainty and the threat of unfounded litigation. The regulatory rollback the bill envisions would open the door to massive penalties and serve to deter project financing for a host of reasonable and responsible activities, including the development of the U.S. offshore wind industry.

“The offshore energy industry prides itself on being a responsible actor and a good environmental steward. NOIA members – and the energy industry at large – employ robust mitigation measures to protect wildlife, including extensive planning, training facility inspections, engineering controls, installation of fencing, and anti-perching and anti-collision devices, and will continue to innovate and develop more and more sophisticated and responsive measures. The MBTA is an irreplaceable part of American conservation, but this legislation would abandon the sensible conservation approach that the Courts, the Administration and Congress have embraced.

“On the other hand, NOIA is supportive of the bipartisan H.R. 3068, the Offshore Wind Jobs and Opportunity Act. The coming offshore wind boon in the U.S. will need a trained and skilled workforce able to operate in the unique offshore environment. This bill provides a clear path of specific training to build up a workforce that can support the rapidly expanding wind industry.”

The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) represents and advances a dynamic and growing offshore energy industry, providing solutions that support communities and protect our workers, the public and our environment.