WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate should swiftly pass the bipartisan Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), following its mark-up by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The legislation will strengthen federal investments in coastal restoration and resilience efforts by sending revenue generated from offshore wind back to coastal states and amending the revenue sharing program under the 2006 Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act.
 
“Climate-fueled hurricanes, flooding, and sea-level rise, and severe weather pose existential threats to coastal communities. Senator Whitehouse and Cassidy’s RISEE Act will help strengthen community resilience and help people and wildlife alike weather the threats our changing climate pose,” said Jessie Ritter, senior director of water resources and coastal policy for the National Wildlife Federation. “The full Senate should swiftly take up this timely and bipartisan legislation and help increase the resources available for coastal communities and marine ecosystems.”
 
The bill will send a percentage of revenues to the National Ocean and Coastal Security Fund, which supports environmental research, monitoring, 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. The legislation also lifts the existing cap on stateside Land and Water Conservation Fund revenues, increasing resources for state efforts nationwide to protect national resources.
 
The RISEE Act is co-sponsored by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King Jr. (I-Maine), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and John Kennedy (R-La.).
 
Learn more about the National Wildlife Federation’s work to advance responsibly developed offshore wind energy and our work to advance Gulf Coast restoration.