August 2024 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Thank you for your continued interest in our cause. Here is a quick update on recent developments:

Getting the Word Out

Recently, our voice has been heard in newspapers and on NBC 10 News. If you missed these features, here are the links:

• Green Ocean’s co-founders Bill Thompson and Lisa Quattrocki Knight’s appearance on NBC 10 discussing fallen Vineyard Wind blade debris

• Green Ocean’s affiliate Constance Gee’s interview on NBC 10 discussing censorship and her assault at a Newport Energy and Environment Commission forum

• Green Ocean’s affiliate Martin Kits van Heyningen’s op-ed in the Providence Journal

Our Instagram and Facebook postings are reaching a record number of people. The top running reel discussing the Revolution Wind Environmental Impact Statement has received over 150,000 views:

• Watch Here

Charlotte’s Web, our daily curation of pertinent news stories now reaches almost 2,300 people every night.

We recently joined the National Offshore-wind Opposition Alliance (NOOA) to amplify our message.

Legal Update

Federal

South Fork

We submitted a powerful summary judgment argument against South Fork Wind on the 21st. Reading our brief is satisfying. Roger Marzulla and his team continue to impress with their diligence and comprehensive strategy.

THANK YOU to all the co-plaintiffs! Your declarations are persuasive, and we couldn’t do it without you!

Revolution Wind

The judge hearing the case denied Ørsted’s request for a separate dismissal hearing. Instead, the judge has demanded that both parties agree to a schedule for a hearing on the merits of the case. (Note: we will be sending out updated declarations for co-plaintiffs to edit and sign in the upcoming weeks, although we do not yet have a definitive schedule.)

State

Supreme Court

We submitted our briefs to the Rhode Island Supreme Court on Friday arguing why the lower court should not have dismissed our case, asking for the Supreme Court to remand the lower court’s decision. If anyone is interested in reading our lawyer’s brief, please let us know and we can send you a copy. Bob Stetson is an exceptional attorney, and his arguments are iron-clad.

Environmental Update

Blade Disaster

The fragmented blade from the Vineyard Wind turbine off Nantucket continues to litter the ocean with fiberglass shards and polyester foam. The debris field has extended over 100 miles—as far away as Montauk—and pieces continue to wash up on Rhode Island and Massachusetts beaches. We have barrels set up on South Shore and Warrens Point beaches to collect the debris. Please save anything you find and report it to the DEM. Read our summary of the public health risks associated with the blade debris.

Contamination at Quonset Point

Revolution Wind’s construction of the onshore substation has been delayed by a year due to higher-than-anticipated levels of hazardous contamination. Despite this, DEM is allowing Ørsted to install the cable in the region immediately offshore of Quonset Point without any new testing for contaminants. We are seeking more information about the contamination.

Delay Invalidates the PPA

The onshore substation construction delay will put off Revolution Wind’s “commercial guaranteed start date” beyond the allowable extension. The project was supposed to begin commercial production in January of 2023. They have used up all allowable extensions. The new delays should invalidate the Power Purchase Agreement, yet the state has not, to the best of our knowledge, done anything about either terminating the contract or collecting the fines for the first two years of delay.

Thank You to:

• Katie Gewirz for representing Green Oceans at the Wheeler Beach Rally, Ken Adams for organizing and Jerry Leeman for supporting.

• Those who attended the hands-across-the-beach rallies and participated in the protest flotilla  on Sunday.

• Those who attended the NEEC discussion forums and sat through these one-sided presentations, as well as Constance Gee for taking one for the team!

• Co-plaintiffs who submitted declarations

• And, last but certainly not least: our donors. Your generosity allows us to continue the fight, and we appreciate every contribution

Looking Ahead

Newport City Hall

Please come to the Newport City Hall, 2nd Floor tonight August 28th at 6:30 PM to help support Dave Carlin’s resolution to provide the public with a second offshore wind information session, this time with alternative perspectives and hopefully without the risk of physical violence.

Newport Boat Show

Commercial Wharf, September 12–15. Sign up to help, or just come by the booth to say hello. Contact Kathleen Keating at kkeating50@gmail.com or Meg Young at megyoung5@yahoo.com if you would like to volunteer.

CRMC meeting

October 15 at 6:00 PM, the State House Annex. This meeting provides a chance for the public to express their discontent about the CRMC and their approval process.

Your support is needed now more than ever.

Making a donation to Green Oceans will greatly improve our chances of halting the construction of Revolution Wind. In turn, the ripple effect from our success could provide enough hope and traction for the same goal to be achieved with other offshore wind projects that pose a real threat to the environment and thus, our quality of life.

The IRS officially designated our tax-exempt 501(c)3 status and listed us on their database. You can now donate through donor-advised funds. All donations to Green Oceans will help support our mission.

Thank You to Our Supporters!

Green Oceans is a broad coalition of citizens who are committed to protecting and preserving our coastal waters. Whether you have made a financial contribution, volunteered, helped spread awareness about our mission, attended a seminar, or posted a yard sign—we thank you for your support!

As Alexander Solzhenitsyn said, “The simple step for a courageous individual, is not to take part in the lie.”

Onward,

Lisa, Bill, Bryan, Charlotte, Barbara, Katie, and the Green Oceans Team

Ways to Get Involved

Sign Our Petition

We now have over 2,500 signatures, but we would like more. Please distribute the link to family, neighbors, and friends to help gather more signatures.

Volunteer

We value your skills! Sign up for our volunteer directory.

Host a Zoom Presentation

The Green Oceans team often holds small, focus-group presentations. Please consider hosting a Zoom to inform your neighbors and friends.

Post a Yard Sign

Supporters have requested over 500 yard signs.

About Green Oceans

Green Oceans is a citizens group founded in January 2023 by community members dedicated to combating climate change without sacrificing the biodiversity or health of the ocean. We strive to protect the ocean by informing the public about imminent threats, including the impact of offshore wind on the marine ecosystem.

Learn More

Visit our website, follow us on social media, or contact us directly via email for more information.