The BlueGreen Alliance Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Revolution Wind LLC’s Proposed Revolution Wind Farm Offshore Rhode Island
Offshore wind energy presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to advance this mission if developed in an environmentally responsible manner, with high road labor standards and attention to environmental justice. We thank BOEM for its diligent efforts to advance offshore wind in a manner that lifts up the working class with family-sustaining union jobs, delivers benefits for communities that are hardest hit by climate change and economic inequality, and protects wildlife, critical habitat, and our nation’s natural resources.
Offshore wind energy is critical to meet our nation’s climate goals, particularly in New England where its technical energy resource potential is greater than all other clean energy resources combined.1 Adding even a modest amount of offshore wind to the New England grid could drive down wholesale energy costs, especially during cold snaps and storms when ratepayers often see a sharp spike in energy prices.2 Revolution Wind has three Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in place with Rhode Island and Connecticut, totaling 704 MW. Delivering the clean energy from this project successfully and on time is critical for these states to meet their clean energy goals. As BOEM works to develop a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), we urge the agency to ensure the maximum beneficial impacts are fulfilled by employing the following standards to create a high-road, responsibly developed offshore wind industry:
- Maximize the creation of quality, high-paying, union jobs over projects lifetime;
- Expand domestic manufacturing along robust domestic, regional, and local supply chains;
- Deliver community benefits with attention to improving access to disadvantaged communities;
- Protect fisheries, wildlife, and marine ecosystems by avoiding, minimizing, mitigating, and monitoring environmental impacts; and, utilizing data sharing, the best available science and data, and adaptive management strategies; and,
- Development guided by robust and inclusive stakeholder engagement, including labor organizations, Tribal nations, historically underrepresented or disadvantaged communities, low-wealth communities, communities of color, and impacted ocean users.
See the comments.