The Newport City Council voted 5-1 to reject a resolution calling for an additional public forum on offshore wind farms during its meeting Wednesday.
Councilor David Carlin III introduced the resolution, which requested the city’s Energy and Environment Commission host another meeting where wind farm opponents could voice their opinions.
“We must allow both sides of this debate to be heard,” Carlin said. “We must allow a fair and equal treatment for those who oppose wind farms, like I do, to have their fair share.”
Several councilors expressed concerns about getting involved in the wind farm debate, which they viewed as a state and federal issue outside the city’s purview.
“I don’t think this is something we should be touching,” said Councilor Holder. “There are plenty of opportunities for anyone who’s pro or anti wind farms or anything else for that matter.”
Councilor Lima defended the Energy and Environment Commission’s handling of the forum series, saying it achieved a balanced presentation of viewpoints across multiple events.
“Our Energies and Environments Commission actually did achieve that,” Lima said. “And I just want to sort of walk us through the history.”
Lima detailed three panel discussions held by the commission between July and August covering climate change, fisheries impacts, and offshore wind development.
Emily Conklin, vice chair of the Energy and Environment Commission, also addressed claims of bias.
“Our intention was to be educational and informative,” Conklin said. “We understand that some folks are very passionate about these topics and also that some folks are dissatisfied with how we ran the events.”
Several residents spoke both for and against the resolution during public comment.
In the end, the council rejected both Carlin’s original resolution and an amended version he proposed to soften the language. Councilor Carlin was the lone vote in support of the resolution.
Councilor Aramli, who voted against the resolution, thanked the commission members for their volunteer work.
“I see nothing, absolutely nothing nefarious or wrong that was done by the Environmental Energy Commission,” Aramli said. “I see good intentions.”
Council Chair Xaykham (Xay) Khamsyvoravong was absent from the meeting.
Original Resolution
More Background
The Energy and Environment Commission, created by and appointed by the Newport City Council, hosted the panel discussion on offshore wind development as part of a summer educational series on climate change and resilience.
The summer education series “Climate Change & Resilience on Aquidneck Island” has included other discussions, such as “Climate Change & Aquidneck Island” on July 23 and “The Effect of Climate Change & Offshore Wind on Fisheries & Ocean Ecosystems” on Aug. 8.
Titled “Offshore Wind Development Off of Aquidneck Island & Newport County,” the August 15 forum featured panelists from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Ironworkers Local 37, and Climate Action Rhode Island discussing the future of offshore wind in the region.
However, the meeting was disrupted during the public question-and-answer portion, with some opponents of offshore wind attempting to dominate the discussion.
The incident appears to have sparked concerns about the balance of viewpoints presented at such forums, leading to the proposed resolution.
Newport City Council unanimously passed the following resolution, “Newport Energy & Environment Commission Summer Panel Series on Climate Change and Resilience on Aquidneck Island,” outlining the purpose of the summer panel series at its July 10 Regular Council Meeting.
According to the City of Newport’s website, the mission of the Newport Energy and Environment Commission is “to advise the Council and educate the public on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and the environment, to foster a more sustainable community.”
Newport City Council unanimously passed the following resolution on May 22 to update the mission, purpose, and authorities of the Newport Energy and Environment Commission to include the direction to educate the citizens of Newport on all matters related to energy and the environment.
The Energy and Environment Commission is “comprised of 7 members, each appointed to three-year staggered terms by the City Council”. According to the City’s website, current commission members include Laurie Love, Avery Robertson, Sam Whitin, Emily Conklin, and Anne Joslin.
Newport Energy and Environment Commission hosts panel on ‘The Effects of Offshore Wind Development’
Newport to host Climate Change and Offshore Wind Forum
