Washington, D.C. – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01) released the following statement following the passage of the Van Drew and Smith Amendments in the House of Representatives. Both amendments, passed by a bipartisan vote, will further tap the brakes on offshore wind developments.
The bipartisan Smith Amendment provides that not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment, the Comptroller General shall conduct a study to assess the sufficiency of the environmental review processes for offshore wind.
The bipartisan Van Drew Amendment provides that the Comptroller General of the United States shall publish a report on all potential adverse effects of wind energy development in the North Atlantic Planning Area.
Congressman Harris Statement: “The bipartisan passage of both of these amendments put forth by my colleagues, Jeff Van Drew and Chris Smith is a win for marine life, the environment, and transparency as we continue to seek concrete answers following the untimely and repeated whale deaths we are witnessing on an increasing basis.”