US state Governor of Maine Janet Mills has signed a law prohibiting new offshore wind projects in the state’s waters.
LD 1619 preserves state waters for recreation and fishing, where up to 75% of Maine’s commercial lobster harvesting occurs, cements into law Maine’s priority of locating offshore wind projects in federal waters in the Gulf of Maine.
The new law comes after Governor Mills last month signed into law another bill, LD 336, which advances Maine’s creation of the nation’s first research area for floating offshore wind in federal waters of the Gulf of Maine.
Mills said: “Maine is uniquely prepared to grow a strong offshore wind industry, create good-paying trades and technology jobs around the state, and reduce our crippling dependence on harmful fossil fuels.
“This legislation cements in law our belief that these efforts should occur in federal waters farther off our coast through a research array that can help us establish the best way for Maine to embrace the vast economic and environmental benefits of offshore wind.
“I applaud the Legislature’s strong bipartisan support of this bill, which I believe demonstrates that offshore wind and Maine’s fishing industry can not only can coexist but can help us build a stronger economy with more good-paying jobs and a brighter, more sustainable future for Maine people.”