Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island sees an opening in his bid to establish a revenue-sharing system for offshore wind energy: House Republican leadership, which now has two members from Louisiana at the top.
Whitehouse — who has led the “Reinvesting in Shoreline Economics (RISEE) Act,” S. 373, with Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) — said he’s “constantly exploring” ways to advance the bipartisan measure that in the past has hit snags within his own party.
Whitehouse and Cassidy suggested conversations among staffers from House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, both from Louisiana, are ongoing.
“We’re constantly trying to see if there’s a pathway for it,” Whitehouse said Wednesday. “Obviously, it makes a lot of sense for Louisiana because they have a big offshore wind opportunity.”