Washington, D.C. - National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito issued the following statement after Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced the bipartisan Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems (RISEE) Act, which then cleared the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee unanimously by a voice vote:
RISEE Act Expands Equity for Coastal Residents & Conservation Programs
"Whether it is through coastal restoration, hurricane protection, infrastructure improvement, or through countless other benefits, offshore energy development enables greater equity for coastal communities. The RISEE Act further connects the dots between continued responsible offshore energy development and environmental stewardship and coastal restoration and resiliency.
"More coastal residents and conservation programs will benefit from dedicated sources of funding for critical projects through this bill and through regular and reasonable offshore leasing. NOIA thanks Senator Cassidy and Senator Whitehouse for their bipartisan initiative on such an important issue."
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.