Governor Kay Ivey announced Thursday more than $52 million in funding for 21 projects across Coastal Alabama, supported by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GoMESA). These initiatives are designed to improve environmental education, boating access, water quality, and recreational opportunities, aligning with the authorized uses of GoMESA funds.
Governor Ivey emphasized the importance of these investments, stating, "Alabama's coast is one of our state's greatest treasures, and we have a responsibility to protect it while ensuring Alabamians and our visitors can enjoy all it has to offer." She highlighted that her administration, working with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, has now awarded over $310 million in GoMESA projects.
GoMESA provides 37.5 percent of qualified revenues from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leases to the four Gulf Producing States and their coastal subdivisions. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) administers these funds with the Governor's Office approval. ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship said, "The GoMESA projects announced today continue a long list of important environmental and quality of life improvements in Coastal Alabama."
This announcement follows the U.S. Department of the Interior Marine Minerals Administration's August 12, 2026, Gulf lease sale, which generated nearly $83 million. Offshore oil and gas development is a significant economic driver, providing high-wage jobs, low-cost energy, and revenue-sharing programs crucial for Alabama's coastal communities.