The Offshore Wind for Territories Act would allow Puerto
Rico, Guam and other islands to tap their offshore resources.
The US House passed a bill on Monday that could bring
offshore wind farms to territories like Guam and Puerto Rico.
The Offshore Wind for Territories Act would amend federal
law to allow development in federal waters off the coasts of five US
territories, including American Samoa, Mariana Island and the US Virgin
Islands.
HR 6665 was introduced by Del. Madeleine Bordallo, a
non-voting member of Congress representing Guam, and supported by
representatives for all five territories affected by the bill. The House
Committee on Natural Resources approved the bill in September.
Representatives of the offshore wind industry and the US
Department of the Interior spoke in support of the legislation during a
committee hearing earlier this summer.
The president of the National Ocean Industries Association
immediately released a statement calling on US Senate leaders to pass the bill.
“The House passage of HR 6665 is welcome news for many
Americans this holiday season,” NOIA President Randall Luthi said. “Too often,
Americans in the US territories are our forgotten citizens.
The Offshore Wind for
Territories Act empowers US territories such as Guam and Puerto Rico to tap
their offshore resources and strengthen their energy security, all while
providing jobs and economic growth for hardworking Americans.”
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