Posted on October 30, 2024
MONROE, La. –There is one amendment on the ballot for Louisiana voters November 5.
Voting yes on amendment one would require federal revenue from offshore renewable energy sources to be used for coastal restoration.
The amendment on the ballot for November 5 asks voters if they support the requirement that federal money from Outer Continental Shelf renewable energy production be deposited into the coastal protection and restoration fund. These energy sources include wind, solar, tidal, wave and other alternative or renewable energy sources.
Money in the coastal protection fund pays for risk reduction efforts such as levees and floodgates, diversion project, wetlands creation, barrier island protection and other projects aimed at safeguarding and rebuilding Louisiana’s receding coast. The state currently does not have enough money to fund the coastal projects it needs.
If the measure does not pass, the federal money from alternative energy would go into the state general fund where it could be spent on anything.
Those against the amendment point out that lawmakers are already limited by existing budget protections in the constitution and further restrictions could force more cuts to unprotected dollars for health care and higher education.
