U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King, Reps. Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree, and Maine Gov. Janet Mills have despatched a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Vitality Administration (BOEM), urging them to fully exclude Lobster Administration Space 1 (LMA 1) from the Wind Vitality Space (WEA) for potential wind energy growth within the Gulf of Maine.
The letter was despatched following final month’s launch of the draft WEA which excluded a lot of LMA 1 however recognized two Secondary Areas inside LMA 1 for additional enter and potential inclusion within the remaining WEA.
The lawmakers and governor assert that “clear vitality can supply financial and environmental advantages for Maine that should be pursued prudently and responsibly with a dedication to minimizing to the best extent potential the influence on fishermen, recreation and different essential ocean makes use of which can be vital to Maine.”
LMA 1 is a vital and extremely productive fishing floor for a wide range of sea life, together with lobster. In a latest report, BOEM recognized greater than 9.8 million acres within the Gulf of Maine, together with LMA 1 and areas closed seasonally or completely to guard the North Atlantic proper whale, as potential business offshore wind websites. Prohibiting offshore wind growth in LMA 1 would assist to keep away from battle with the New England business and leisure fishing industries, they are saying.
The letter, and the draft WEA announcement, follows a June letter wherein Mills and the Maine congressional delegation urged BOEM to take away Lobster Administration Space 1 and different areas from any additional consideration for business offshore wind leasing and to totally think about the views and issues of Maine fishing communities whereas it continues to weigh leasing areas.
A map of the draft WEA will be discovered on BOEM’s Gulf of Maine webpage. BOEM has opened a 30-day public overview and remark interval on the proposal. To touch upon the draft WEA, go to https://www.rules.gov/doc/BOEM-2023-0054-0001. BOEM will settle for feedback by means of November 20.
