A resolution calling for a balanced public discussion on offshore wind farms will be presented to the Newport City Council during its Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
Third Ward Councilor David R. Carlin III is introducing the resolution, which addresses his concerns about a recent wind farm forum held by the city’s Energy and Environment Commission.
The resolution states that while wind farm proponents were invited to offer opinions on the positive impacts of wind farm production at the Aug. 15 forum, “opponents were not permitted to offer their contrary opinions”.
“The Newport City Council requests that the city’s Energy and Environment Commission host another such public meeting, at which the opponents of wind farms will be permitted their turn to exercise their voices in such a public capacity,” the resolution reads.
If the commission fails to host the public meeting, the resolution calls for the city administration to arrange and conduct a public hearing “in as timely a manner as possible.”
During the August 14 City Council Meeting, Councilor Carlin attempted to bring up his concerns during an agenda item regarding the reappointment of Avery Roberts and Laurie Love to the Energy and Environment Commission. While expressing his concerns about opponents not being invited to participate, he was cut short by Councilor Lynn Underwood Ceglie’s motion to move on to the next agenda item.
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.
This 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 City Council will consider this item during its August 28 meeting in the Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public. See the full agenda for the meeting here.
