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119-hr-674119th Congress

Northeast Fisheries Heritage Protection Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]

Introduced

Summary

Permanently bars commercial offshore wind development in Lobster Management Area 1. It would also require a government-wide environmental review of how federal agencies handle Gulf of Maine wind projects.

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  • Fishing families and shoreside businesses would keep access to a critical Gulf of Maine fishing ground that in 2023 produced about 113 million pounds of lobster worth $582.4 million.
  • Developers and federal agencies would be barred from receiving any lease, license, permit, or other authorization for commercial offshore wind in LMA 1.
  • The Comptroller General would have 120 days to study whether agency environmental review processes for Gulf of Maine wind projects adequately consider impacts on whales, finfish, fisheries-dependent communities, Tribal and cultural resources, and air quality.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

GAO study of Gulf of Maine wind

If enacted, the Comptroller General (GAO) would do a study of how federal agencies review offshore wind projects in the Gulf of Maine. The study would be due within 120 days after enactment. It would examine effects on whales, fish, seabed habitats, plankton, air quality and greenhouse gases, recreation and tourism, cultural and Tribal resources, and fisheries-dependent communities and shoreside businesses. It would also review how agencies choose stakeholders to consult and whether local comment periods are timely.

Ban on wind in Lobster Area

If enacted, the bill would bar any lease, license, permit, or other authorization to build commercial offshore wind energy inside Lobster Management Area 1. LMA 1 is defined by cross-reference to the EEZ Nearshore Management Area 1 in 50 C.F.R. § 697.18 (or a successor rule). The ban would apply notwithstanding section 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. This prohibition would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]

ME • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 1/23/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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