Local officials in Rhode Island have sharply criticized the Biden administration’s approach to developing offshore wind farms, accusing it of ignoring their concerns and imposing projects without adequate consultation. According to internal documents reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon, a November 2022 letter from Rhode Island officials to the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) called the process “dysfunctional.”
The letter, sent by officials from New Shoreham, Newport, and three preservation societies, criticized the federal government for failing to consider local input regarding the South Fork Wind project. Situated less than 20 miles from Block Island, this project has raised concerns about the potential impact on Rhode Island’s scenic views and historic sites.
“We have NEVER seen a more dysfunctional process,” the officials wrote, highlighting the administration’s failure to engage meaningfully with local communities and Native American tribes. They accused the BOEM and Interior Department leaders of primarily consulting with industry representatives to push through the project in line with President Biden’s goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030.
This ambitious target has led to rapid approval of wind farm projects, with the South Fork Wind project being the only one completed since 2021. Local stakeholders, however, feel that their concerns about the visual and cultural impacts of the project have been largely ignored.
The letter, obtained through a freedom of information request by Protect the Public’s Trust, also revealed that the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) was urged to reject the Memorandum of Agreement for the South Fork Wind project. Cultural Heritage Partners, representing the Rhode Island entities, argued that BOEM was neglecting its duty to protect historic properties.
Despite these appeals, the ACHP determined that BOEM had satisfied the required preservation criteria but advised it to devote more resources to assessing the impacts of offshore wind development. Internal emails indicate that BOEM officials were aware of the criticism but proceeded with project approvals without expanding consultations with local stakeholders.
Michael Chamberlain, director of Protect the Public’s Trust, criticized the administration’s approach, stating, “Secretary Deb Haaland’s promise of more local and tribal input seems hollow if the feedback does not support the administration’s agenda.”
Concerns were also raised within the administration. Louis Chiarella, assistant regional administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service, criticized BOEM’s approval process for the Vineyard Wind project, highlighting the tight review timelines and insufficient incorporation of feedback.
The clash between the Biden administration’s environmental ambitions and the interests of local communities underscores the complexity of balancing large-scale green energy projects with local impacts. This ongoing debate emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and responsive approach to decision-making in environmental policy.
