Climate Action Rhode Island will host a rally Tuesday evening at Queen Anne Square to oppose President Donald Trump’s order halting construction on the Revolution Wind offshore project.
The 5:30 p.m. protest will feature remarks from Rhode Island elected officials and community leaders about the nearly complete wind farm, which is more than 80% finished and was scheduled to begin powering homes early next year.
The rally is part of Climate Action Rhode Island’s “Yes to Wind” campaign and will highlight the project’s role in lowering energy costs, creating jobs and securing the state’s energy future with offshore wind.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont criticized Trump’s stop-work order Saturday, with McKee warning it puts “hundreds of union jobs at risk by halting a project that is 80% complete.”
The wind farm was designed to power more than 350,000 homes across both states while creating union jobs in the renewable energy sector.
Rhode Island’s congressional delegation also condemned the decision in a joint statement, calling it “unwarranted and unacceptable.”
U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with U.S. Reps. Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo, said: “We’re committed to ensuring Rhode Islanders have affordable electricity, but President Trump continues to recklessly increase energy prices.”
McKee plans to hold a separate press conference Monday at Quonset Point with the congressional delegation and union leaders to oppose the decision.
The Tuesday rally will be held at Queen Anne Square, located at 51 Touro St. in Newport. Speakers will include Rhode Island elected officials, Climate Action Rhode Island advocates, and local community and labor leaders.
Both governors said they are working together to reverse the federal decision, arguing the project is essential for energy security and affordability in their states.
