Constitutional Amendment Dedicating Offshore Energy Revenue to Coastal Restoration and Protection Fund Passes In Louisiana
For Immediate Release: November 6, 2024
Media Contact: Jenny Netherton, jennyn@sewind.org, (318) 470-1144
New Orleans, LA - Last night, Louisiana voters approved a constitutional amendment that will dedicate state revenues generated from alternative offshore energy sources, including offshore wind, to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund. Sponsored by state Representative Joe Orgeron, the amendment passed with 73% of the vote. Representative Orgeron described the measure as “...a vote to simply add all-of-the-above offshore energy revenues to the existing offshore oil and gas revenues to the fund that pays for our science-based coastal master plan.”
The amendment is linked to the federal Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act sponsored by Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy and the Budgeting for Renewable Electrical Energy Zone Earnings (BREEZE) Act sponsored by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Louisiana Representative Troy Carter. Both pieces of legislation seek to dedicate a portion of revenues from offshore wind development to states adjacent to the projects. Currently, revenues from offshore wind go directly to the U.S. Treasury.
“Louisiana voters showed that they overwhelmingly support restoring our coastline and using revenue from alternative offshore energy projects to do so. Louisiana is now poised to take advantage of new energy resources like offshore wind while protecting the long-term health of our coast,” said Louisiana Senior Program Manager Jenny Netherton. “The Southeastern Wind Coalition is eager to continue to work with elected officials to advance innovative solutions that support both offshore wind development and community and environmental resilience.”
About SEWC
The Southeastern Wind Coalition (SEWC) is a 501(c)(3) that works to advance the wind industry in the Southeast. We focus on providing fact-based information on the economic and environmental opportunities of both onshore and offshore wind energy, and encourage solutions that result in net economic benefits to residents and ratepayers. For more information about the Southeastern Wind Coalition visit www.sewind.org.
