Permits Issued for First Offshore Wind Farm

The country’s first offshore wind farm received the needed permits from the State of Rhode Island in 2014. Crucial to the approval was the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Program and the Ocean Special Area Management Plan, the guiding document for the project and permitting of the wind farm. Promoting alternative energy is part of the official policy of the state, and with the guidance of the coastal management program, officials believe the five-turbine Deepwater Wind will be in the best interest of the environment as well.

Tony Affigne, a member of the state’s Coastal Resources Management Council commented: “I think any of us can answer questions from the public about the work that we’ve done to make sure that this agreement is in the best interest of the state.” (2016)

More information: www.dwwind.com/press/block-island-wind-farm-receives-first-major-project-permits-2

Partners: Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Program, Ocean Special Area Management Plan, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management