Cameron to receive GOMESA funds

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) Friday, Apr. 29, announced the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) will allocate Louisiana a total of $111,822,094.65 in Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) funding. GOMESA requires Louisiana, along with Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas, to use the dollars for coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects as well as for projects important for conservation of fish, wildlife, or other natural resources.

“Our state and coastal communities understand the importance of protecting and restoring our coastline,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This funding is important to balance protecting our coastal environment and south Louisiana families with preserving U.S. energy security.”

Last year, Cassidy introduced the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems (RISEE) Act which would expand GOMESA to create a new dedicated stream of funding from future offshore wind development. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee later held a subcommittee hearing to consider Cassidy’s RISEE Act.

A full breakdown of funding by parish is below:

State of Louisiana – $89,457,675.71

Cameron Parish – $1,503,763.07