Resilience, Equity, and Sustainability Through Offshore Renewable Energy (RESTORE) Act
The transition to offshore renewable energy is a critical step in addressing climate change and promoting clean energy solutions to create a sustainable future for tribal and coastal communities. Historically and to this very day, tribes have faced systemic injustices in infrastructure development, resulting in chronic underfunding and limited capacity to participate in and benefit from clean energy development, despite their deep knowledge and stewardship of natural resources. In response to this challenge and unique opportunity, Rep. Huffman is introducing legislation to reduce barriers to accessing funds that tribes face and ensure they can realize economic opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
The RESTORE Act seeks to address these disparities by establishing a revenue-sharing mechanism that ensures both tribal and coastal communities are not only included but also economically benefit from offshore renewable energy development. By reinvesting funds into habitat conservation, climate resilience, and economic development for these communities, the bill provides critical resources to mitigate project impacts, bolster resilience, and support meaningful participation in the clean energy transition. This framework recognizes that a just transition must account for potential adverse effects on coastal ecosystems, tribal lands, and cultural resources, offering mitigation pathways when needed and ensuring equitable benefits for all impacted communities.
In an effort to engage diverse perspectives, interests, and needs of tribal, coastal, and environmental justice communities and all those with a stake in our nation’s clean energy future, Rep. Huffman released a discussion draft of the legislation.
A one-pager of the legislation can be found here.
Full text of the discussion draft as well as a section-by-section summary can be read below: