Five

A RESOLUTION relative to rejecting all offshore wind energy projects in the waters off the coast of New Hampshire and the Gulf of Maine.

Whereas, the general court finds the health of the ocean's ecosystem to be important and supports a robust and vibrant fishing industry for the economy, food supply, and heritage; and

Whereas, the proposed offshore wind project selected in areas in the Gulf of Maine has resulted in many unanswered questions and unknown effects that an offshore wind farm, floating or stationary, has on the ocean bed, ecosystem, food supply, and the livelihood of the fishing industry; and

Whereas, some of the unanswered questions involve ocean substations that must be cooled by sea water and chlorine, thereby discharging warmer, toxic water back into the ocean in massive amounts; and

Whereas, the ocean bed will be disturbed by transmission cables extending for long distances, requiring the seabed to be sculpted, and that ocean currents will produce continuous movement of the cables back and forth and thus disturbing sea life and underwater ecosystems; and

Whereas, no conclusive evidence as to the effects of these projects to prevent harm to the fishing industry and the environment has been established and the pace of offshore wind development is exceeding the answers to these and other questions; and

Whereas, the cost of electricity from these projects to ratepayers or the state is likely to exceed current rates and would place an undue burden on them; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the general court categorically rejects offshore wind projects until such time as these questions are fully vetted and verified, without financial risk to the state or ratepayer, and only upon the approval of the general court; and

That the general court urges the neighboring ocean states take similar action until such time as all questions and risks have been fully satisfied to result in no harm.

Five

A RESOLUTION relative to rejecting all offshore wind energy projects in the waters off the coast of New Hampshire and the Gulf of Maine.

Whereas, the general court finds the health of the ocean's ecosystem to be important and supports a robust and vibrant fishing industry for the economy, food supply, and heritage; and

Whereas, the proposed offshore wind project selected in areas in the Gulf of Maine has resulted in many unanswered questions and unknown effects that an offshore wind farm, floating or stationary, has on the ocean bed, ecosystem, food supply, and the livelihood of the fishing industry; and

Whereas, some of the unanswered questions involve ocean substations that must be cooled by sea water and chlorine, thereby discharging warmer, toxic water back into the ocean in massive amounts; and

Whereas, the ocean bed will be disturbed by transmission cables extending for long distances, requiring the seabed to be sculpted, and that ocean currents will produce continuous movement of the cables back and forth and thus disturbing sea life and underwater ecosystems; and

Whereas, no conclusive evidence as to the effects of these projects to prevent harm to the fishing industry and the environment has been established and the pace of offshore wind development is exceeding the answers to these and other questions; and

Whereas, the cost of electricity from these projects to ratepayers or the state is likely to exceed current rates and would place an undue burden on them; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the general court categorically rejects offshore wind projects until such time as these questions are fully vetted and verified, without financial risk to the state or ratepayer, and only upon the approval of the general court; and

That the general court urges the neighboring ocean states take similar action until such time as all questions and risks have been fully satisfied to result in no harm.