80 percent complete Rhode Island wind farm halted, ‘national security’ interests cited

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Danish wind farm developer, Orsted, said the Revolution Wind project is about 80 percent complete, with 45 of its 65 turbines already installed.

The project was placing offshore wind farms 15 miles off the Rhode Island coast.

It was expected to be in use by next year.

Despite the progress, and that the project had cleared years of federal and state reviews, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued an order Friday saying the federal government needs to review it.

It also mentioned concerns about national security interests, but did not specify.

President Donald Trump has made strides to support fossil fuels and hinder renewable energy products.

Trump recently called wind and solar power “the scam of the century” in a social media post and vowed not to approve wind or “farmer destroying solar” projects.

Wind power is the largest source of renewable energy in the U.S.

It provides about ten percent of the electricity generated in the nation.

When completed, Revolution Wind would eventually generate enough power for 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut, according to Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee.

Rhode Island is already home to one offshore wind farm, the five-turbine Block Island Wind Farm.

A majority of scientists agree, nations need to embrace renewable energy to help prevent the worst effects of climate change.

But not everyone agrees they’re good for the environment.

Green Oceans is a non-profit that opposes the offshore wind industry.

They responded to the halt in Revolution wind saying in part “We are grateful that the trump administration and the federal government are taking meaningful action to preserve the fragile ocean environment off the coasts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.”