Revolution Wind Project Approval Is a Win for Wildlife Habitat Protection
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 22, 2023
Contact:
Jennifer Delony, New England for Offshore Wind
jdelony@ne4osw.org, 603.320.7043
Revolution Wind Project Approval Is a Win for Wildlife Habitat Protection
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – August 22, 2023 – The New England for Offshore Wind (@NE4OSW) coalition today applauded the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) decision to approve a construction and operations plan for the 880-MW Revolution Wind project that will minimize impacts to visual resources and benthic habitat.
“We are thrilled to see BOEM give Revolution Wind the green light,” said Amanda Barker, Climate Policy Advocate at Green Energy Consumers Alliance and the coalition’s Rhode Island State Lead. “The 400 MW that the project will provide to Rhode Island is crucial in achieving our Act on Climate mandate of 45% emissions reductions by 2030 and net-zero by 2050, as well as achieving our 100% renewable energy standard by 2033, both of which are essential to combatting climate change and creating a healthier environment in Rhode Island.”
“Offshore wind is poised to play an essential role in the ability of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the region to meet our critical greenhouse gas reduction and clean energy goals,” said Charles Rothenberger, Climate and Energy Attorney at Save the Sound and the coalition’s Connecticut State Lead. “As the first offshore wind project solicited by Connecticut, we are particularly pleased to see Revolution Wind receive final approval from BOEM, clearing the way for the project to fulfill its promise of delivering clean energy, providing good jobs, and enhancing local economies.”
“The transition to clean energy and away from polluting sources has never been more urgent,” said Amber Hewett, Program Director for Offshore Wind Energy at the National Wildlife Federation and the coalition’s Massachusetts State Lead. “The Revolution Wind project is an exciting signal that we can address the root causes of the climate crisis while bringing economic opportunities to local communities in Rhode Island and Connecticut. We look forward to working with federal and state officials, along with industry leaders, to ensure that these innovative energy projects work alongside communities and wildlife experts while building our nation’s renewable energy capacity.”
Background
The Revolution Wind offshore wind project will be located off the coast of Rhode Island and will have a generating capacity of 880 MW.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management made its Final Environmental Impact Statement available in July, signaling an interest in approving a project plan that has fewer wind turbines to reduce impacts to visual resources and habitat and allows for collaborative ocean use.
Members of the New England for Offshore Wind coalition submitted comments to BOEM for the draft Environmental Impact Statement calling for, among other things, an evaluation of the opportunity created by deployment of larger turbine blades to reduce the number of required turbine foundation sites. The coalition asked BOEM to analyze whether a reduction in the project footprint could accommodate turbine siting supportive of habitat impact minimization while maintaining the project’s energy output to meet climate goals for Connecticut and Rhode Island.
About New England for Offshore Wind
New England for Offshore Wind (www.NewEnglandforOffshoreWind.org) is a broad-based coalition of businesses and associations, environmental and justice organizations, academic institutions, and labor unions committed to combatting climate change by increasing the supply of clean energy to our regional grid through more procurements of responsibly developed offshore wind. We believe that responsibly developed offshore wind is the single biggest lever we can pull to address the climate crisis while also strengthening our regional economy, protecting ratepayers, creating high quality jobs, and improving public health by reducing pollution.
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