U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) introduced the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems (RISEE) Act, a bipartisan bill that aims to protect coastal communities from threats caused by climate change.
“CRES supports the Reinvesting in America’s Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems (RISEE) Act because it promotes all-of-the-above energy solutions while mitigating the impacts of climate change by making our coastal communities more resilient and creating opportunities for clean energy development,” said CRES President Heather Reams. “This commonsense legislation, reintroduced by Senators Bill Cassidy and Sheldon Whitehouse, helps promote American energy leadership, conservation, and economic security.”
As coastal communities become more at risk due to the effects of a changing climate, CRES believes we should equip local communities and states with the tools they need to protect homes, businesses, and the environment.
The RISEE Act would utilize the revenue from offshore wind development for coastal protection and resiliency, incentivizing future clean energy development. The bill would allot 37.5% of offshore wind power funds to states adjacent to where offshore wind farms are located. The state funds can be used for the following:
- Coastal restoration, hurricane protection, erosion protection, or infrastructure.
- Mitigate damage to coastal ecosystems and other natural resources.
- Implement a coastal, marine, or conservation management plan.