Building New England’s First Offshore Wind Farm

Deepwater Wind

In December, 2016, Deepwater Wind launched the nation’s first offshore wind farm in Rhode Island’s Block Island Sound. The project supplies almost all of the energy needs for Block Island residents, saving businesses and families about 40% on their energy bills and reducing life-threatening pollutants associated with dirty energy.

CLF in Action

This Deepwater Wind project was years in the making – and CLF was there every step of the way. Our advocacy during the development of Rhode Island’s ocean management plan helped create a straightforward process for the offshore wind farm’s permitting.

We also ensured that the drive to secure clean, renewable energy didn’t come at the expense of ocean wildlife. With our partners, CLF developed a historic agreement with Deepwater Wind to minimize the impacts of its pre-construction activities on endangered North Atlantic right whales. That agreement laid a critical foundation for how to balance the needs of our precious ocean wildlife with those of the renewable energy industry during future offshore wind projects in New England and elsewhere in the country.

What’s at Stake

Climate change threatens our communities, our economy, and our environment – and it needs an urgent response now. Developing clean energy resources is a vital part of that response, and offshore wind plays a significant role. Finding practical climate solutions that boost clean energy in responsible ways is key. That means tapping into resources that are naturally replenished and permanently sustainable. Fortunately, New England has plenty of both.

Deepwater Wind’s success shows that large-scale renewables do have a place in New England. They must be supported by the right policies, laws, and market initiatives – alongside a fair bit of vision, courage, and fortitude among state leaders and stakeholders. As CLF pushes ahead with efforts to bolster the region’s clean energy economy, the example set here in Rhode Island is one that bears replicating not only across our region, but throughout the United States.