RI Delegation voices opposition to Trump wind project cancelation

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island leaders are opposing the Trump administration’s order to pause the Revolution Wind project.

The project was placing offshore wind farms 15 miles off the Rhode Island coast and was expected to be in use by next year.

The Revolution Wind project was paused during a review by the U.S. Department of Interior following a presidential memorandum from January.

It said it’s for the protection of the environment and national security interests.

Orsted, the company installing the wind turbines said they’re hoping to continue the wind project later next year after addressing any issues.

The project is 80 percent complete and would eventually generate enough power for 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Governor Dan McKee responded to the pause in a statement writing in part:

The Trump administration’s stop-work order on Revolution Wind undermines efforts to expand our energy supply, lower costs for families and businesses, and strengthen regional reliability…

Rhode Island’s congressional delegation released a joint statement reading in part:

We will do everything we can to protect Rhode Island’s interests and help lower people’s energy bills.

Attorney General Peter Neronha vowed as well to explore any avenues to prevent the project’s cancellation.

Monday at noon, Governor McKee and the congressional delegation will talk more about their response at Quonset Point’s Compass Rose Beach.