{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-s-congressional-delegation-governor-mills-ask-federal-agency-in-charge-of-offshore-wind-leasing-to-listen-to-the-voices-of-maine-fishermen", "Maine\u2019s Congressional Delegation, Governor Mills Ask Federal Agency in Charge of Offshore Wind Leasing to Listen to the Voices of Maine Fishermen", "2023-06-13", "2023", "2023-06", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 U.S. Senator Susan Collins and Representative Jared Golden along with Senator Angus King, Representative Chellie Pingree, and Governor Janet Mills are calling on the Biden Administration to include the views of Maine fishing communities in proposals for leasing commercial offshore wind areas in the Gulf Of Maine. In a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the Maine leaders request that any wind development avoid key lobstering areas and urge the Bureau to \u201cminimize all potential conflicts\u201d between offshore wind and the fishing industry.\n\nThis letter is in response to the publication of the Gulf of Maine\u2019s Call for Information and Nominations (Call). The Call invites public comment on, and assesses interest in, possible commercial wind energy development in areas offshore Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.\n\n\u201cFishermen and women across the country and in Maine have expressed several concerns regarding offshore wind development. Maine\u2019s fishermen have worked for decades with state and federal regulators on numerous rules and regulations to preserve the fisheries and the varied species that inhabit those waters. The Call identifies 9.8 million acres to site potential commercial offshore wind projects in the Gulf of Maine. This includes Lobster Management Area (LMA) 1 and three areas that are closed to fishing either permanently or seasonally. Although BOEM reduced the acreage initially proposed by 29 percent, it failed to remove these key areas, and instead specifically requested additional comments on these areas,\u201d the Delegation wrote.\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers urge BOEM to swiftly remove Lobster Management Area 1 (LMA 1), a critical fishing ground for Maine's lobster, from consideration for commercial offshore wind leasing. They also highlight that it is inconsistent for areas that are closed to fishing to be open for commercial offshore wind leasing. The delegation stressed the vital role that fishing plays in Maine, with 94% of the country's lobster coming from the Gulf of Maine. They also emphasized the need for meaningful engagement with fishermen and other ocean users to minimize conflicts and protect the existing marine economy.\n\n\u201cSiting offshore wind development outside of LMA 1 would avoid conflict not only with the majority of Maine\u2019s commercial fishing industry, but also with recreational fishermen and other commercial and recreational marine users,\u201d the Delegation continued. \u201cOur fishing community feels that their voices are not being heard. A straightforward way for BOEM to show it is committed to minimizing impact to fisheries would be to adopt the fishing community\u2019s primary request: remove LMA 1 from consideration.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn addition, parts of the Massachusetts Restricted Area, the Great South Channel Restricted Area, and most of the LMA 1 restricted area remain on the table for offshore wind development. All of these areas are closed to fishing either permanently or seasonally due to the potential presence of a North Atlantic Right Whale. If an area is closed to fishing, how could this area still be considered for offshore wind development? This is inconsistent with the fact that our fishermen are required to comply with closures in these areas.\u201d the Delegation wrote.\n\nThe letter also reiterates the potential for offshore wind, if done responsibly, to create good-paying jobs in Maine and further floating offshore wind technology pioneered by the University of Maine.\n\nOn October 13, 2021, U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced an ambitious offshore wind leasing strategy for 2021-2025, which includes the goal of holding a commercial lease sale within the Gulf of Maine in 2024. For more information on BOEM\u2019s plans for commercial offshore wind leasing in the Gulf of Maine can be viewed here.\n\nThe full letter can be read here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:15:57Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/maine-s-congressional-delegation-governor-mills-ask-federal-agency-in-charge-of-offshore-wind-leasing-to-listen-to-the-voices-of-maine-fishermen"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.790529116988182, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}