As the Biden administration accelerates its offshore wind farm projects, local officials in Rhode Island have expressed strong disapproval, accusing the administration of ignoring their concerns. Internal documents reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon reveal a November 2022 letter from local Rhode Island governments to the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), denouncing the process as highly dysfunctional.
Officials from New Shoreham and Newport, along with three Rhode Island preservation societies, wrote the letter, condemning the BOEM for disregarding their input on the South Fork Wind project. The project, located less than 20 miles off Block Island, has sparked fears among locals that the wind farms will spoil the state’s scenic beauty and historic landmarks.
“We have NEVER seen a more dysfunctional process,” the letter stated, highlighting the frustration felt by local stakeholders. The criticism centered on the administration’s top-down approach, which they argue prioritized industry interests over those of local communities and Native American tribes.
The Biden administration aims to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by the end of the decade, an ambitious target that has led to rapid project approvals. However, the swift pace has led to tension with local stakeholders, who feel sidelined in the decision-making process. Since 2021, only the South Fork Wind project has been completed, reflecting the challenges in meeting such ambitious goals.
Documents obtained through a freedom of information request by Protect the Public’s Trust reveal that the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) received similar complaints. Cultural Heritage Partners, representing the Rhode Island entities, urged the ACHP to reject the Memorandum of Agreement for the South Fork Wind project, citing inadequate consideration of historic properties.
Despite these objections, the ACHP concluded that BOEM had met the necessary preservation requirements but recommended that BOEM increase its efforts to assess offshore wind development impacts. Internal communications suggest that BOEM officials were aware of the criticism but continued to approve projects without expanding stakeholder consultations.
Michael Chamberlain, director of Protect the Public’s Trust, accused the administration of hypocrisy, stating, “Interior Secretary Deb Haaland promised more local and tribal input, but it seems that promise was only valid if the feedback aligned with the administration’s goals.”
Even within the Biden administration, there were concerns. Louis Chiarella, assistant regional administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service, criticized BOEM’s approval process for the Vineyard Wind project, citing unreasonable review timelines and inadequate incorporation of feedback.
The controversy surrounding the South Fork Wind project underscores the tension between the Biden administration’s green energy objectives and the interests of local communities. This ongoing debate highlights the need for more inclusive and transparent decision-making processes to balance environmental goals with community concerns.