These wind turbines, barely visible from the docks, were huge up front – with one spin enough to power a home for 24 hours. Photo: EcoPhotography.
It was a warm September morning – frankly, unseasonably warm for the month. The bright sun sparkled on raucous waters as the ocean’s current crashed excitedly against the dock. I was in Rhode Island, about to visit the South Fork Wind Farm, located 19 miles offshore of Block Island. Despite the beautiful weather and clear skies, I could barely see the farm’s 12 wind turbines on the horizon.
But those turbines were my destination.
As a CLF attorney working on clean energy, I couldn’t wait to get a better look. Sometimes, my work with climate change can feel so big, so abstract—I was excited to see an operating clean energy solution up close, firsthand. So, it was no surprise that I was overcome with emotions as our boat approached the first fully constructed and operational commercial-scale offshore wind project in the United States.
When our boat stopped at the wind turbines, I really appreciated their true size. Each turbine blade is the length of a football field. The turbine rotors sit 460 feet above the waterline, and the maximum blade tip height is nearly 800 feet above the waterline. To put that in perspective, the maximum height of the blade is over twice the height of the Statue of Liberty! The turbines themselves almost seemed majestic, their massive blades rhythmically spinning in the wind. They are a true engineering marvel.
As I stood there mesmerized, I was able to fully comprehend the project’s implications.
The most significant threat to a healthy ocean is climate change. And unprecedented warming waters are providing super fuel for devastating storms wreaking havoc across the country, threatening our home and our way of life. Sometimes, when we think about the enormity of climate change, it can be easy to be pessimistic. Like we’re not doing enough to address the consequences of our overheating planet.
However, being here on the ocean, seeing South Fork Wind Farm’s turbines churning away in person, was a truly inspiring experience – both as a CLF attorney and as a New England resident and new father.
Solutions are here. One spin of these great turbines can generate enough electricity to power a whole house for 24 hours.
Imagine how many homes we could power with more offshore wind.
I’ve been a CLF attorney for four years, working on clean energy and climate change and advocating for the responsible development of offshore wind. Seeing the turbines underscored that we have real, tangible solutions to climate change right here, right now. We are on the cusp of a major upgrade away from dirty and polluting fossil fuels and towards clean energy in our region.
South Fork shows that these projects are getting built and that they work. It’s more proof that offshore wind will play a huge role in getting New England to 100% clean energy.
Beyond the professional fulfillment of seeing the turbines at work, I also felt hopeful for my daughter’s future. Knowing that we have the tools to address the worst effects of climate change and upgrade to a cleaner and healthier energy future is why I come to work every day. That’s why I fight this fight.
