The Newport Energy and Environment Commission hosted a panel discussion on offshore wind development on Thursday as part of a summer educational series on climate change and resilience.
During “Offshore Wind Development Off of Aquidneck Island & Newport County,” panelists from state agencies, labor unions and environmental groups discussed the future of offshore wind in the region.
“We’re generally supportive of offshore wind because we need to mitigate the effects of climate change,” said Julia Livermore, deputy chief of marine fisheries at the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. “Our agency is really focused on trying to mitigate the impacts of that energy generation.”
Livermore outlined the permitting process for offshore wind projects, which involves multiple state and federal agencies. She noted that her department’s role is limited to reviewing potential impacts on water quality from cable installation in state waters.
David Langlais, business manager for Ironworkers Local 37, highlighted the job creation potential of the offshore wind industry. He said two current projects have created over 200 jobs for local workers.
“This new offshore industry has the potential to create a lot of local jobs for local residents in the state,” Langlais said.
Nick Horton, a volunteer organizer with Climate Action Rhode Island, said, “The negative effects that we can expect from climate change or that we’re experiencing already vastly outweigh the risks of offshore wind or the potential detrimental effects of offshore wind.”
The panel faced questions from audience members concerned about impacts on marine life, particularly whales. Panelists cited lack of evidence linking offshore wind development to whale deaths.
Livermore noted that extensive monitoring is required during construction and operation of wind farms. “There are tonnes of people involved,” she said. “I think a lot of folks are thinking this is happening really fast and they’re not seeing how much work has actually gone in to prepare for some of these things.”
Previous discussions in the summer education series, Climate Change & Resilience on Aquidneck Island, included “Climate Change & Aquidneck Island” on July 23 and “The Effect of Climate change & Offshore Wind on Fisheries & Ocean Ecosystems” on August 8.
Preservation Society of Newport County’s Lawsuit Criticized
Horton criticized the Preservation Society of Newport County’s lawsuit against offshore wind development as “frivolous” during the discussion.
Horton said the lawsuit could increase costs for consumers and suggested the preservation society’s motives were financial rather than environmental.
“It’s our position that their lawsuit is frivolous and basically is going to add cost to the project, costs which are going to be borne by all consumers,” Horton said.
According to Horton, The Preservation Society of Newport County declined to participate in the panel discussion.
Horton claimed the preservation society is “able to sue because they’re a historic site that can see the turbines” and suggested they are seeking “a significant payout settlement so that they can get revenue.”
Experts Address Whale Concerns
The panel addressed public concerns about the impact of offshore wind development on whale populations. Experts emphasized that current evidence does not show a direct link between wind farms and whale deaths.
Horton presented data showing whale populations had been declining since 2015, well before offshore wind construction began in the area.
“We actually know what is killing the whales, and it’s not offshore wind,” Horton said. He pointed to long-established evidence of whale deaths from vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglements dating back decades.
Livermore noted the extensive review process for offshore wind projects.
“There are tons of people involved,” Livermore said. “I think a lot of folks are thinking this is happening really fast and they’re not seeing how much work has actually gone in to prepare for some of these things.”
Panelists highlighted strict mitigation measures in place during wind farm construction, including speed limits for vessels and the presence of protected species observers.
Langlais described some of these measures: “During their migration period, I think it was like during the winter, there was no monopiles being driven, because we know that the monopiles are of… an annoyance to them with the pounding of the monopiles.”
Watch The Meeting
The meeting can be viewed here.
They are proposing windmills that are over 800 feet tall.
That’s taller than the tallest building in New England.