Rhode Island Officials Blast Biden Administration Over Wind Farm Projects

The Biden administration’s push to accelerate offshore wind farm development has faced strong opposition from local officials in Rhode Island, who claim their concerns have been ignored. According to internal documents reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon, officials accused federal authorities of overriding local objections in their rush to meet ambitious energy goals.

A November 2022 letter from New Shoreham, Newport, and three Rhode Island preservation societies to the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) lambasted the federal process. The letter, obtained by Protect the Public’s Trust, described the wind farm approval process as “dysfunctional” and criticized the lack of consultation with local communities.

The South Fork Wind project, situated less than 20 miles off Block Island, has been a focal point of controversy. Local officials fear the wind farms will disrupt Rhode Island’s picturesque vistas and historic landmarks. The letter noted that Block Island and the Southeast Lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark, would suffer “adverse visual effects” from the project.

President Biden aims to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, the most ambitious goal of its kind worldwide. However, the administration’s rapid approval of projects has led to friction with local stakeholders. While the South Fork Wind project is the only one completed since 2021, the fast-tracking of approvals has raised concerns about insufficient local input.

The letter criticized the BOEM and Interior Department leaders for primarily consulting with industry officials rather than local communities and Native American tribes. Cultural Heritage Partners, representing the Rhode Island entities, echoed these concerns in a letter to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). They argued that BOEM was “running roughshod” over tribes and historic communities.

Although ACHP ultimately determined that BOEM had met preservation requirements, it advised BOEM to devote more resources to assessing offshore wind development impacts. Internal emails revealed that BOEM officials were aware of the criticism but continued approving projects without increasing stakeholder consultations.

Michael Chamberlain, director of Protect the Public’s Trust, accused the administration of hypocrisy. “Interior Secretary Deb Haaland’s promise of more local and tribal input seems hollow, as it appears feedback was only considered if it supported the administration’s agenda,” Chamberlain said.

Concerns about the wind farm approval process were also voiced within the administration. Louis Chiarella, assistant regional administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service, criticized BOEM’s process for the Vineyard Wind project, highlighting unreasonable review timelines and inadequate incorporation of feedback.

The conflict between the Biden administration’s green energy goals and local stakeholders underscores the challenges of balancing large-scale environmental projects with community interests. The ongoing debate highlights the need for more inclusive and transparent decision-making processes.