Warren releases details of ‘Blue New Deal’ plan for protecting oceans, marine habitat
Massachusetts senator would halt offshore drilling, fast-track permitting for offshore wind, wave generating projects
Massachusetts senator would halt offshore drilling, fast-track permitting for offshore wind, wave generating projects
Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday released a broad plan to expand her effort to address climate change to the oceans, including ending offshore drilling and encouraging electricity generated by offshore wind and wave projects.
Warren’s campaign said her “Blue New Deal” keeps a promise the Massachusetts senator and presidential candidate made to a voter during a televised town hall in September.
With warming oceans and sea level rise a concern along the nation’s coastlines, including in New Hampshire, Warren said that as president, she will sharply increase disaster mitigation funding and ban the construction of new public housing and federal buildings within 1.5 meters of sea level.
Warren writes in her plan that she will streamline and fast-track offshore permitting for renewable energy projects including wind and wave generators, while banning offshore drilling.
“By 2030, offshore wind energy development from Maryland to Maine could support more than 36,000 full time jobs,” Warren wrote, promising to carefully balance the interests of project developers and low-income communities.
Warren wrote that she will not allow “visual and aesthetic impacts to provide a basis for denying federal offshore wind energy permits.”
“The climate crisis is too urgent to let the ultra-wealthy complain about wind turbines getting in the way of their ocean views,” she wrote.
Warren said she will direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a new program focusing on research, development and setting policies for ocean-based farming while restoring marine ecosystems and expanding protected areas of oceans.
Warren said she will expand her commitment to ending land-based fossil fuel drilling leases to offshore.
“Instead, we will focus on transitioning the offshore drilling supply chain and associated industry to offshore wind,” Warren wrote. “I am committed to leaving no worker behind as we transition to 100 percent clean energy, and the men and women who have tirelessly worked in the offshore drilling industry are no exception.”
State Rep. Peter Somssich, D-Portsmouth, praised Warren for following through on her promise to present a “Blue New Deal” plan.
Erin Allgood of Dover, a board member of the climate activist group, 350NH, said: “Climate change is already impacting our Seacoast communities in more ways than one. Damage from sea-level rise and shrinking fish populations are hurting our economy.
“We need a comprehensive approach to climate change that takes in account the role our oceans play. Elizabeth recognizes this and her plan will help us rebuild our economy, protect our oceans, and adapt to how our climate has changed.”