Flaherty Named As A Founding Member of the National Coastal Caucus of State Leaders

Legislators to Engage Obama’s Ocean Task Force

AUGUSTA - Today Representative Sean Flaherty (D-Scarborough) joined state legislators from across the country to announce the formation of the Caucus of Coastal State Legislators (CCSL) to address pressing economic, resource and environmental issues facing US coastal states.

Flaherty, who is serving his first term in the Maine Legislature’s Utilities and Energy Committee, said that the opportunity to work alongside leaders from other states on issues like tidal power and off-shore wind will help Maine continue to be a leader in renewable energy use.   “In Maine we have a unique opportunity to capitalize on our natural resources in coastal towns, while positioning our state to be a leader in alternative energy and green jobs,” Flaherty said. “The Caucus of Coastal State Legislators will enable us to be on the cutting edge of the national trends while sharing and employing proven solutions. Scarborough is one of the largest coastal communities in Maine, with a strong track record of responsible and sustainable growth.”

President Barack Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force was a catalyst for the formation of the CCSL, and one of the caucus’ first actions will be to develop a close working relationship with the Administration. In addition, the caucus will serve as a point of contact for regional and federal agencies, and the US Congress. Other specific goals will be determined as the caucus continues to meet.

Caucus leaders from other states include: Alaska House Minority Leader Representative Beth Kerttula, Oregon State Senator Jackie Dingfelder, New Hampshire State Representative Renny Cushing, and Maryland State Delegate James Hubbard.

“Any time we can share ideas across regions like this it’s going to produce good results,” said Maryland State Delegate James Hubbard, who is also the president of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL). “We each have a stake in the protection and responsible development of our coastal areas, but local coastal decisions often have global consequences - cooperation and communication always generate communication always generates opportunities.”

The bi-partisan group has initial representation from state legislators in 29 coastal and Great Lakes states.

-###-