WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Strengthening restoration and resilience in coastal states is vital to protecting communities from climate impacts and ensuring a healthy future for people and wildlife, alike. The OFFSHORE Act, introduced by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Angus King (I-Maine) will send revenue generated from offshore wind energy development back to coastal states for restoration and resilience-building activities.

“Coastal communities, as well as coastal and ocean ecosystems, face unique challenges in their push to adapt to the effects of our rapidly changing climate,” said Catherine Bowes, offshore wind program director at the National Wildlife Federation. “This bill and the leadership of Senators Whitehouse, Cassidy and King will help ensure that coastal states and the offshore environment benefit from revenue generated by this critical clean energy solution through investments in community resilience, restoration of coastal and marine habitat, and other efforts to protect fish and wildlife.”

The OFFSHORE Act will also send a percentage of revenues to the National Ocean and Coastal Security Fund, which supports research and restoration activities, including investment in protective natural infrastructure projects, through both a formula program and a competitive grant-based program administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

For more information on the National Wildlife Federation’s work to advance responsibly developed offshore wind energy visit offshorewind.nwf.org