Saving Seafood

Trump rescinds Obama-era ocean policy

June 22, 2018 — In another strike at his predecessor’s legacy, and one that could have long-term consequences for New England, President Trump this week rescinded an executive order by President Obama that established the first national ocean policy, which made protecting coastal waters and the Great Lakes a priority.

Trump said his executive order would cut bureaucracy and benefit business, while environmental advocates denounced his decision, saying it strongly favors commercial interests over conservation.

Trump’s order could alter New England’s plans to protect the Gulf of Maine and other waters in the region. It replaces the National Ocean Council, which brought together a host of federal departments and committees that work on ocean issues, with a new “streamlined” committee that will focus on science and technology and resource management.

It will also eliminate nine regional planning bodies around the country, which the White House called “unnecessary.”

“Claims that the ocean is being abandoned are not supported by the facts,” said Drew Minkiewicz, an attorney at the Fisheries Survival Fund in Washington, D.C., which represents the scallops industry.

He supported the elimination of the regional planning bodies, which he argued had failed in its mission to bring together competing interests, such as offshore wind-farm developers and fishermen, who have been at odds over plans to build turbines off Martha’s Vineyard.

Eliminating the groups “will not lead to less coordination amongst the federal government because they were not doing their stated job,” he said.

Officials at the National Ocean Industries Association, which represents offshore drilling and wind companies, praised Trump’s order, saying Obama’s policies were “uber-bureaucratic” and “caused consternation, uncertainty, and concern for the offshore energy industry.”

Read the full story at the Boston Globe

Suit: Offshore drilling done in absence of required report

June 22, 2018 — Three conservation groups said in a lawsuit filed Thursday that federal wildlife agencies have failed for years to complete required consultations and reporting on the effects that oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico could have on endangered species.

The suit comes more than a decade since the last such report was done, and more than eight years since the huge 2010 BP oil spill, the groups said.

The Gulf Restoration Network, the Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity released a copy of their lawsuit as it was being filed in U.S. District Court in Florida. Defendants named are the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The suit says the Endangered Species Act requires those agencies since 2007 to consult with the agencies overseeing Gulf drilling and to publish an opinion on the possible effects of such drilling on endangered species, including various species of whales and sea turtles.

Such consultations and reporting haven’t been conducted since well before the 2010 explosion of the BP-operated Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, a disaster that spilled millions of gallons into the Gulf, the lawsuit says. It added that the result is that hundreds of offshore oil and gas projects have been approved based on outdated information.

The lawsuit seeks an order requiring completion of a consultation in 90 days.

After the Deepwater Horizon disaster, which also killed 11 rig workers, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement decided a new consultation was needed and asked the two agencies to begin work on one in 2010, the suit says.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at the New Jersey Herald

Massachusetts wants added review for Vineyard Wind project

June 22, 2018 — With the largest purchase of offshore wind resources in the country on their doorstep, state officials say they want more information to provide proper environmental oversight.

Last Friday a certificate was issued for Vineyard Wind’s April 30 draft environmental impact report, but because the company has now moved ahead to negotiate an 800-megawatt contract with three electric utilities companies, a more comprehensive report is needed, according to Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton.

Massachusetts has an “interest in and obligation to provide a rigorous, robust and transparent environmental review process for the largest single procurement of offshore wind by any state in the nation,” Beaton wrote in the certificate.

The company, an equal partnership of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Avangrid Renewables, plans what is expected to be a $2 billion construction project to install 50 to 100 wind turbines in federal leased waters 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard, with three energy export cables to make landfall on Cape Cod.

The sale of offshore wind power from the wind farm to the electric utilities on the mainland is part of a larger initiative by state leaders to reach a capacity of 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2027.

As part of the typical review under the state’s environmental policy act, a draft and then a final environmental impact report are explanations by an owner of its project and alternatives to fully adhere to state and local environmental regulations. The state certificates issued on the reports, in turn, are guidance, describing what the company intends and what still needs to be addressed, strengthened or emphasized to ultimately avoid, minimize or mitigate damage to the environment.

In declaring the Vineyard Wind’s 1,380-page draft environmental impact report “inadequate,” Beaton said in Friday’s certificate that he is taking into account the company’s May 23 selection as the offshore wind competitor to move forward with contract negotiations with the utilities. Given the evolving circumstances, Beaton said he is asking for a supplemental draft environmental impact report from Vineyard Wind.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

Trump just erased an Obama-era policy to protect the oceans

June 21, 2018 — President Trump on Wednesday ended an eight-year-old policy to protect oceans, which was created as hundreds of millions of gallons of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico from a broken well, covering more than 65,000 square miles, killing untold numbers of wildlife and devastating fisheries in several Gulf Coast states.

President Barack Obama mentioned the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the largest and costliest oil spill in the nation’s history, in the second sentence of an executive order that detailed the first national ocean policy and called on federal agencies to work closely with states and local governments to manage the waters off their coasts.

“The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and resulting environmental crisis is a stark reminder of how vulnerable our marine environments are, and how much communities and the nation rely on healthy and resilient ocean and coastal ecosystems,” Obama’s July 2010 order said.

In contrast, Trump’s order does not mention the explosion that killed nearly a dozen workers and the spill of 210 million gallons of oil. The second sentence gives a nod to domestic energy production, the jobs it could provide and the financial rewards that can be reaped.

“Ocean industries employ millions of Americans and support a strong national economy. Domestic energy production from Federal waters strengthens the nation’s security and reduces reliance on imported energy,” his order reads.

Read the full story at the Washington Post

Offshore wind projects worry Northeast fishermen

June 21, 2018 — A flurry of planned and proposed offshore wind projects in the Northeastern United States is causing anxiety among fishermen, who are worried that the turbines will disrupt marine life, make fishing more difficult, and harm their livelihoods.

The United States’ nascent offshore wind industry is predicted to grow rapidly in the coming years as states create and follow through on requirements to source a greater portion of their energy from clean sources, such as offshore wind.

The first offshore wind project in the U.S. – just five turbines generating 30 megawatts of electricity – came online in December 2016 near Block Island, Rhode Island. In the years to come, many more turbines are expected to crop up on the horizon.

Some fishermen worry the turbines will be too close together, making navigating difficult and possibly dangerous. Others are concerned the turbines will affect ocean currents, and the larvae that are swept up in them. And still others fret about the possibility that undersea electricity transmission will cause behavioral changes in bottom-dwelling creatures.

Earlier this month, a new lobbying group called the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance formed to represent the East Coast fishing industry in discussions over permitting of offshore wind development.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

House Subcommittee to Hold Legislative Hearing on Offshore Renewable Energy Opportunities

June 20, 2018 — The following was released by the House Committee on Natural Resources:

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold a legislative hearing on the following bills:

  • Discussion Draft H.R., Offshore Renewable Energy for Territories Act, (Rep. Madeleine Bordallo of Guam) To amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to apply to territories of the United States, to establish offshore wind lease sale requirements, to provide dedicated funding for coral reef conservation, and for other purposes.
  • H.R. 5291, Offshore Wind Jobs and Opportunity Act, (Rep. Niki Tsongas of Massachusetts for herself, Rep. Raul Grijalva and Rep. Bill Keating) To establish an offshore wind career training grant program, and for other purposes.
  • Discussion Draft H.R., National OCS Renewable Energy Leasing Program Act, To amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to provide for a leasing program for offshore renewable energy, and for other purposes.

CONFIRMED WITNESSES:

Mr. James Bennett, chief of the office of renewable energy programs, Bureau of Ocean Management, Department of the Interior

Mr. Randall Luthi, president, National Oceans Industries Association

*More witnesses to come.

WHAT:

Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold a legislative hearing on three bills.

WHEN:

Tuesday, June 26, 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:

1324 Longworth House Office Building

IN THE NEWS TODAY:

Politico, Anthony Adragna – Natural Resources Subpanel Plans June 26 Offshore Wind Hearing

Another draft bill from Del. Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) would allow Interior to manage the federal submerged lands off of territories while establishing a revenue sharing arrangement for them. And legislation H.R. 5291 (115) from Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.) would create a federal grant program to support career programs in the industry.

Reuters, Valerie Volcovici – House Set to Debate Offshore Wind Energy Bills in U.S. Waters

The Trump administration has thrown its weight behind the nascent offshore wind industry by streamlining permitting processes and working to open up more areas for lease. The administration views offshore wind as an element in its goal for U.S. energy dominance.

Visit the Committee Calendar for additional information once it is made available. The meeting is open to the public and a video feed will stream live at House Committee on Natural Resources.

Renewable Energy Bill Heading to Massachusetts House

June 18, 2018 — A bill that aims to sharply increase the state’s use of renewable energy is on its way to the Massachusetts House.

The Senate approved the bill Thursday, saying it will help ensure a healthier, cleaner environment for future generations of Massachusetts residents.

The sweeping legislation is intended to help protect public health, increase renewable energy use, reduce greenhouse emissions, put a price on carbon, and create renewable energy jobs.

The bill would also raise renewable portfolio standards, lift the cap on solar net metering, authorize additional hydropower and offshore wind procurement, establish market-based greenhouse-gas emission limits, and implement statewide energy storage goals.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at CapeCod.com

MASSACHUSETTS: Alliance watchful on cable-laying proposal

June 18, 2018 — Both supporters and opponents of Vineyard Wind’s plan to bring its offshore wind farm cable to land on Cape Cod have emerged in two state decision-making arenas. But at least one well-known advocacy group is remaining noncommittal but watchful.

“We’re not taking a position against the project,” Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound President Audra Parker said. “We’re preserving our right to participate.”

The alliance, which worked to defeat the never-built Cape Wind project in the Sound, is one of five groups that have been granted intervenor status before the state Energy Facilities Siting Board, along with seven individuals who have limited participation status. The intervenor and limited participation statuses allow groups or individuals to participate in the siting board proceedings beyond simply submitting public comments.

Despite participating in and supporting the designation of federal offshore wind energy areas south of the Islands, where Vineyard Wind plans 50 or more turbines, the alliance remains concerned that some other project could connect to that company’s new cable, leading to new development in the Sound, Parker said.

“We are watching closely,” she said.

The towns of Barnstable and Yarmouth, a resident of Rhode Island and Eversource Energy Service Company are the other intervenors. Among the limited participants are four West Yarmouth residents, a Yarmouth Port resident, one from Barnstable, and Vineyard Wind competitor Bay State Wind.

Read the full story at the Cape Cod Times

MASSACHUSETTS: MONTIGNY SECURES BIPARTISAN PROTECTIONS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING

June 15, 2018 — The following was released from the office of Massachusetts State Senator Mark Montigny:

Senate Assistant Majority Leader and Rules Committee Chairman Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) secured bipartisan legislation today to ensure protections for commercial fishing interests prior to any future increased offshore wind procurement.

His amendment to S2545, An Act to Promote a Clean Energy Future, will require commercial fisheries impacts to be studied and considered prior to any increased offshore wind procurement.

In 2016, the legislature directed the procurement of 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind by 2027. Last month, the Baker Administration announced the first round selection of 800 megawatts of offshore wind development south of Martha’s Vineyard.

Throughout the process, commercial fishermen have raised concerns regarding offshore wind’s effect on navigation and fisheries habitat.

While federal guidelines require input from the fishing industry for offshore wind development, thus far fishermen have raised concerns that those federal guidelines lack specifics. Efforts are now underway through the Massachusetts Fisheries Working Group to build consensus and a detailed study plan.

In the meantime, Montigny’s latest efforts will require the Commonwealth to identify and consider offshore wind effects on commercial fisheries prior to any procurement beyond 1,600 megawatts. It further stipulates that any plan to increase procurement must also identify measures to mitigate fisheries impacts. Montigny filed the amendment, entitled Offshore Wind Effects on Commercial Fishing, to the omnibus energy bill S2545. Working with Senator Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Montigny secured the amendment with the support of the bill’s sponsor, Senator Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton) and bipartisan coalition of Senators.

“Offshore wind presents significant economic opportunities for New Bedford and the Commonwealth,” said Senator Montigny, key Senate supporter of the 2016 offshore wind legislation. “However, we must be certain that fishermen who have relied on our oceans for generations to earn a living are heard and that their concerns are seriously and adequately addressed. This decades-old billion dollar industry provides serious job creation and economic output that we must not forget. I look forward to these two industries thriving together along our unique working waterfront in the years to come.”

Read the full release at WBSM

Administration looks offshore for wind energy boom

June 14, 2018 — The Trump administration is “bullish” about offshore wind, working with governors in the Northeast to transform what was once a fringe and costly investment into America’s newest energy-producing industry.

“When the president said energy dominance, it was made without reference to a type of energy,” Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke told the Washington Examiner in an interview. “It was making sure as a country we are American energy first and that includes offshore wind. There is enormous opportunity, especially off the East Coast, for wind. I am very bullish.”

On a recent tour of coastal states, Zinke found “magnitudes” more interest in offshore wind than oil and natural gas drilling.

Facing widespread opposition from politicians in states fearful of oil spills along their tourist-drawing coasts, Zinke is likely to scale back a draft plan to open nearly all federal waters for drilling, which he says has attracted “modest interest at best.”

But the Atlantic Ocean is open for business for offshore wind, and developers are paying up, with the support of governors such as Republicans Charlie Baker of Massachusetts and Larry Hogan of Maryland, and Democrats Andrew Cuomo of New York and Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island.

Read the full story at the Washington Examiner