Strange weather and severe storms. Invasive plants and pests. The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the world’s oceans.

The dangerous impacts of climate change are already upon us, and unless we take bold – and smart – action, the crisis is going to continue to get worse.

The good news is that Maine has developed a path forward  that reduces our dependence on oil and tackles the carbon pollution that’s causing climate change. The state has invested in clean, renewable energy and developed energy-efficiency programs that help consumers and businesses save money.  Hundreds of towns and cities across Maine are demonstrating through the Community Resilience Partnership how a rural state can take  meaningful action to tackle the climate crisis by reducing carbon pollution and becoming more resilient..

Now, it’s time to take the next step and begin the development of offshore wind resources.

A coalition of environmental, labor, faith and frontline climate justice organizations has formed to support a comprehensive and responsible approach to the development of offshore wind that will strengthen our state’s economy, protect workers, benefit Maine communities and produce clean, renewable power that reduces pollution and fights back against climate change.

Right now, Maine sends billions of dollars each year out of state to import oil. Those dollars should be put to work here at home, maximizing the benefits for Maine working families and positioning the state as a leader in the development of offshore wind.

The Legislature is considering two bills that will lay the foundation for the development of a successful offshore wind industry.

The first, L.D. 1895, An Act Regarding the Procurement of Energy from Offshore Wind Resources, would enact the top recommendations from Maine’s Offshore Wind Roadmap. It creates a procurement schedule and establishes necessary labor, equity, environmental and wildlife standards, while helping to keep offshore wind development outside of Lobster Management Area 1 to protect our vital fisheries and fishing communities.

The second is L.D. 1818, An Act Regarding Port Facilities Relating to Offshore Wind Power Projects, which sets important environmental and labor standards for port facilities that are needed to support offshore wind development. The bill ensures benefits for Maine workers and port communities – a living wage, strong workplace health and safety protections, and clean air  – and would put Maine in a strong position to secure federal funding needed for port facilities.

Maine can be at the forefront of a promising new energy industry, but we have to have the guardrails in place – at the beginning – to ensure responsible development.

We can’t risk our working waterfronts, our fishing industries, the livability of our communities or the health and welfare of workers. That’s why L.D. 1818 and L.D. 1895 are so important. They put our priorities and our ideals into law and ensure that offshore wind is developed in a way that doesn’t compromise Maine values.

This can’t be an either-or. We must both develop cleaner, renewable sources of energy, including offshore wind, and protect our people, communities and environment.

The Gulf of Maine has some of the strongest and most dependable winds in the world. Building  floating turbines in Maine and the ports to support them will create thousands of good-paying, union jobs.

As we consider the future of offshore wind, we have to start with Maine people. Economic opportunity is not spread evenly across our state, and not all workers have the protections they deserve. Communities haven’t seen the benefits of new development, and legacy industries like oil too often traded clean air and clean water for dollars.

The Legislature has the chance to jumpstart the offshore wind industry in Maine, and to do it in a way that puts our people and our state first.

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