FINALLY! America Begins a Critical New Energy Chapter
It is not every day you get to witness history. As someone who has spent over a decade trying to spur progress in transitioning to clean energy and advancing solutions to climate change, today was without a doubt the most exciting day of my career.
It can sometimes be challenging to see tangible progress in our pursuit of a clean energy future, but today I was lucky enough to go out on the water and see the construction underway for America’s first offshore wind power project off Block Island. It is truly the beginning of a new energy chapter for America! Congratulations to Deepwater Wind for making it happen.

Celebrating today’s milestone with Deepwater Wind’s Clint Plummer and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Director Abigail Ross Hopper. Photo Credit: Clint Plummer
“Rhode Island is leading America toward a clean energy future with the construction of this project. The Block Island Wind Farm will provide pollution-free energy, keep energy dollars local, and create hundreds of new jobs – all while ensuring treasured wildlife like endangered Right Whales are protected,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of National Wildlife Federation, who took part in a boat tour of the Block Island site today. “This is a great example of how offshore wind power can be a win for both people and wildlife. Now is the time for bold commitments from state leaders up and down the east coast to ensure this transformational resource plays a major role in our energy future.”

Over the next several weeks, the Block Island Wind Farm’s five foundations will be installed. The project will be complete and generating power by the end of 2016. Photo Credit: Deepwater Wind
Offshore wind power’s American debut is long, long overdue. For over 20 years, offshore wind power has been producing thousands of megawatts of pollution-free energy and spurring transformative job creation overseas. We have a world-class wind resource along the Atlantic seaboard, and it is time for us to take advantage of the significant environmental and economic benefits this booming global industry has to offer.
National Wildlife Federation is a strong advocate for responsibly developed offshore wind power, and we are proud supporters of the Block Island Wind Farm. This project is a shining example of how renewable energy development can and must be done right – with science-based planning, extensive stakeholder engagement, and true leadership from state and federal government as well as industry. NWF has worked closely with Deepwater Wind to ensure that endangered North Atlantic right whales are protected throughout the offshore wind development process, and we applaud this industry leader for setting a strong precedent for responsible offshore wind power development with America’s first project.

Team NWF! From left to right: Jamie Rhodes, President of our RI affiliate, Environment Council of Rhode Island; Paul Beaudette, Eastern Vice Chair, NWF Board of Directors; Collin O’Mara, NWF President and CEO; Catherine Bowes, NWF Senior Manager, Climate and Energy. Photo Credit: NWF

A view of the first foundation to be installed, with two more on deck in the background. Photo Credit: NWF
Ensure today’s historic moment is truly the beginning of something big by speaking for offshore wind power, whose day has finally come!