The NH commission on offshore wind meeting, before the federal BOEM takes over our Gulf of Maine, was inexplicably canceled when its chair, Sen. Watters, got wind, pun intended, that fishermen and concerned citizens would show up to voice their concerns.
As the troops rallied to go to the meeting, the NH government, by way of Sen. David Watters, cut bait and ran! When asked why, he stated “thousands of NH residents want(ing) green energy supercedes a “few fishermen.”
Except offshore wind is far from green!? He went on, “Just go to the federal meeting on the 29th!” but the federal BOEM meeting does not allow the public to speak for five minutes. It is only a question-and-answer session. Watters must have shellfish allergies to shun a whole group of fishermen and our coast, or he just doesn’t like opposition.
The NH state website for Watters Commission does not mention any meetings “to be announced. ”
All minutes say “pending” or a current list of stakeholders. This has been going on since 2020!
But they are claiming they advertised their public meetings! It may as well have been advertised to the fish, for the only fisherman who knew and attended was Erik Anderson, president of the defunct NHCFA, and he didn’t tell anyone either.
Calling all the committee reps finally revealed the (now canceled) meeting on May 20th, which was the only meeting the public actually knew about by word of mouth and would have had a chance to voice their mind.
If I’m not mistaken, our government has to allow proper notice and for the public to speak, no matter how uncomfortable Watters feels.
This clandestine NH state commission has been operating for four years in a vacuum. The only “study* done was a report that does not include any data about pollution, harmful Bisphenol going into the ocean poisoning us by way of fish, or any tangible data to show it is “safe” at all!
Watters does not care or he would make it right.
Instead, he doubled down and insulated the very people he represents. He refuses to listen and states, “We cannot control what the BOEM does in federal waters.” I believe Watters needs a refresher course in the US Constitution. Last I checked, the US government is “the people,” just not fishermen and those who want to save our Gulf of Maine and whales.
[Update] There will be “meetings” and conversations with or without members of the committee.
Monday, May 20
3:00, Meet at roundabout Diner and Lounge, Portsmouth NH traffic circle. Information on offshore wind development in the Gulf of Maine.
4:00, Meet at 222 International Dr. Pease, Press conference with Chuck Morse, fishermen, and environmentalists.
4:30, State Commission on offshore wind. If (still) canceled, we will continue the press conference.
May BOEM federal dates: https://www.boem.gov/newsroom/notes-stakeholders/reminder-public-meetings-gulf-maine-proposed-sale-notice
