Louisiana voters approved an amendment to the state Constitution Tuesday that will dedicate future funding to preserve and restore the state’s disappearing coast.
With more than half of the vote reported, the amendment was set to pass with 72%.
Amendment No. 1 expands the dedication to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund to add federal money Louisiana receives from offshore wind, solar and other alternative or renewable energy sources generated in federal Gulf waters off the state’s coast.
Such money could come from federal lease sales, operating fees and other agreements.
Currently, that money flows into the state general fund, where it can be spent in any manner chosen by the Louisiana Legislature. A small amount goes to the Department of Energy and Natural Resources.
Now any federal money Louisiana receives from alternative energy production offshore will be dedicated to the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund, where it can only be used on projects aimed at safeguarding the coastal area.