Bill · H.R. 674· House(119-HR-674)
Northeast Fisheries Heritage Protection Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/23/2025
- Last activity
- 1/23/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Jared Golden
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Northeast Fisheries Heritage Protection Act of 2025," aims to prohibit commercial offshore wind energy development within Lobster Management Area 1 in the Gulf of Maine. It specifically forbids the issuance of any lease, license, permit, or authorization for such development in that area. Additionally, the act requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study regarding the environmental review processes for offshore wind projects in the Gulf of Maine. This study must assess how various federal agencies handle environmental reviews and stakeholder consultations. The goal is to avoid conflict with the New England fishing industries and preserve productive fishing grounds.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would business owners be better off under this?+6
The bill protects the existing business interests of commercial fishermen, retailers, and processors.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
The bill protects the primary economic drivers of many rural coastal communities.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+5
The bill protects the economic interests of commercial fishing industries and their related shoreside businesses.
The opposite
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?-5
The bill explicitly prohibits the issuance of leases or permits for commercial offshore wind energy development in the designated area.
Is this likely to create jobs?-2
The bill prohibits the development of a new offshore wind energy industry in Lobster Management Area 1.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Fishing Industries: The bill seeks to avoid conflict with the New England commercial and recreational fishing industries by prohibiting energy development in highly productive fishing grounds (Section 2(a)(7)).
-
Preservation of Vital Fishing Grounds: By prohibiting commercial energy leasing and development, the act aims to preserve a critical area for future generations (Section 2(a)(7)).
-
Environmental and Economic Oversight: The required study by the Comptroller General will assess the sufficiency of environmental review processes for offshore wind projects in the Gulf of Maine, covering impacts on marine life, air quality, and fisheries-dependent communities (Section 2(c)(1)-(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restriction on Energy Development: The bill prohibits the issuance of leases, licenses, permits, or other authorizations for the development of commercial offshore wind energy in Lobster Management Area 1 (Section 2(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+6Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Native Americans+3Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For Low Income Households+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5Increases Job Creation-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+4Improves Environmental Protections+3Increases Renewable Energy Investment-5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- 1/23/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Jefferson Van DrewRepublican · New Jersey