Public Hearing on Bill to Support Union Renewable Energy Jobs & Protect Fishing Grounds in development of Offshore Wind

The Legislature's Energy, Utilities, & Technology Committee will hold a public hearing on a bill to support thousands of union jobs in renewable energy while also protecting critical lobster fishing grounds from the impact of offshore wind on Thursday, May 18th at 1pm.

LD 1895 enacts top recommendations from the State of Maine's Offshore Wind Roadmap, including setting a procurement schedule for offshore wind and establishing standards for wildlife, fisheries, and environmental monitoring and mitigation. The bill builds on the Roadmap's framework of responsible offshore wind development by requiring necessary labor standards and fostering inclusive benefits for Maine's most vulnerable communities.

Critically, passing this bill would help make sure that offshore wind is built outside of Lobster Management Area One, with the aim of protecting the generational fishing grounds that support thousands of livelihoods in our coastal communities.

The bill also includes the strongest possible labor standards for offshore wind build out including Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and Labor Peace Agreements. Following the lead of the Maine Building Trades Council and the Maine Lobstering Union (IAM 207), the Maine AFL-CIO Executive Board voted unanimously to support this important bill.

You can support this important job friendly bill in two ways:

• Submit written testimony in support of LD 1895  (fact sheet here), and attend the hearing;
• Lobby your elected officials, alongside a broader coalition of labor and environmental supporters, on the morning of May 18th starting at 8am. If you want to attend email Matt, matt@maineaflcio.org