RHODE ISLAND’S FIGHT OVER OCEAN WIND

Block Island Gets First Chance To Weigh In On Wind Turbines

Judy Benson, May 10, 2013 (McClatchy News Service via Hartford Courant)

“...[A public meeting] offered the first chance in two years for [Block Island] residents to publicly take a side on the 30-megawatt turbine wind farm proposed for a site 3 miles off the southeast shore. It also was the first litmus test of island support since the $300 million project to erect five 650-foot turbines entered the permitting phase…The project is on track to be the nation's first offshore wind farm, though similar turbines have been operating in Denmark, Germany and elsewhere for several years…

“With an audience of about 100 of their neighbors, 24 speakers said Providence-based Deepwater Wind's proposal would benefit the island economically and environmentally, while setting an example for the rest of the country…Another 12 speakers argued that the turbines would compromise the views that are a main asset of the island's tourism-based economy and expressed skepticism and mistrust of Deepwater Wind. Three others did not express outright support or opposition but instead urged caution as the process proceeds…Several speakers qualified their support with admonitions that decision-makers ensure the company sets aside adequate funds to decommission the turbines when they no longer produce power…That point also was made by the Town Council in its letters of support…The five-member council supports the project 3-2…”

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“The hearing was called by the state's Department of Environmental Management, which is considering an application from Deepwater to dredge about 20 miles of trenches for cables connecting the five turbines to Block Island, and from there to landfall at Narragansett Town Beach and on to a National Grid substation…[A Narragansett hearing] drew a similar turnout, but more of the speakers were opposed…The cable to Narragansett would be Block Island's first power connection to the mainland, a $20 million to $40 million infrastructure upgrade the island has been seeking for 20 years.

“…[T]he Narragansett Town Council voted to put off until June 3 negotiations with Deepwater over easements..for the cable…[Deepwater] said that in response to concerns raised in Narragansett, it will propose [to underground the proposed cable]…Several Block Islanders supporting the wind farm said the reality of climate change convinces them that the island must do its part…[and] urged opponents to look beyond their concerns about views to the bigger picture…Maya Veldman Wilson, a school-aged resident…read a poem calling the turbines ‘heroes of the future’ and ‘giants’ that speak through the wind…’They only spin. They don't hurt anybody,’ she said…”

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