The Law Must Have the Last Word!We have strong causes of action arising under multiple Federal Statutes including the National Environmental Protection Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Endangered Species Act, and we stand alongside 39 co-plaintiffs who contribute standing to sue on our multiple causes of action. Federal District Court Judge Lamberth has certified the administrative record, which are all the approval documents upon which he will determine if BOEM and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (defended by the U.S. Justice Department) were "arbitrary and capricious" in approving Revolution Wind and South Fork Wind. In other words they approved the project in the face of evidence that there will be harsh adverse impacts on affected humans, wildlife and commerce. Next UpMotion for Summary Judgment. Opposing parties go before the judge to say: “here’s why you should agree with us” in motion form. A judge may decide without oral argument on the basis of the administrative record, or he may ask each side to appear and argue in person. Stay tuned! Continuing Our Goal of Protecting the EnvironmentEarlier this fall we sent a letter to BOEM, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers, stating that given the catastrophic blade failure occurring this summer in Rhode Island Sound at the Vineyard Wind turbine site, the Government must prepare a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement analyzing the possibility and consequences of blade failure at the Revolution Wind turbine site. Blade failure wasn’t considered as a possible negative impact when the government approved Revolution Wind. Stay tuned for further legal action if the Government refuses to take action. ALERTLegal action WORKS! And it costs money. Please click here to support our legal efforts that have the potential to set a president and protect the environment far beyond our local waters. No donation is too big or too small. Litigation WorksGreen Oceans supporters should be aware that local leaders in neighboring towns negatively affected by offshore wind are considering litigation. In a letter to the Editor of the Nantucket Current, Nantucket Board of Selectman Chair, Brooke Mohr stated that "The Town retains its full legal options, including the right to litigate in court should the discussions falter. As Town officials have made clear over the past decade, U.S. law does not grant the Town authority to stop or prevent offshore wind development. However, there are legal avenues to ensure that permitting authorities adequately consider the ongoing harms the Town will suffer, generally, and specifically as it relates to impacts of the blade failure." #4 on the RI BallotBEFORE YOU VOTE, Learn more about the so-called “GREEN” Bond: Note that roughly 28% of the money proposed in this bond measure will be spent on offshore wind related infrastructure at Quonset. Come election day, Green Oceans supporters should search their heart and vote, bearing in mind which candidates and measures support our goal of protecting our coast from irresponsible industrialization. More on Question 4 Environmental and Recreational Bond Measure here: 2024 Green Bond – $53,000,000 For environmental and recreational purposes, to be allocated as follows:
a. Infrastructure at Quonset's Port of Davisville - $15,000,000
b. Climate Resiliency - $2,000,000
c. Brownfields Remediation and Economic Development - $5,000,000
d. Local Recreation Projects - $5,000,000
e. Municipal Resiliency - $10,000,000
f. Newport Cliff Walk - $3,000,000
g. Agricultural Land Preservation Commission - $5,000,000
h. Open Space Program - $3,000,000
i. Forests and Habitat Management - $5,000,000
This WPRI article leads with the so called GREEN BOND's priorities: "The largest infusion of cash, $15 million, would be invested in Quonset Port. Gavin Black, the president of the R.I. Ports Coalition, said the money will be used to make infrastructure upgrades. Quonset needs to reinforce the piers and invest in its shoreside capacity in order to capture more offshore wind cargo.”
According to Nathan Cornell, President of The Old Growth Tree Society of Warwick, "At first glance, it looks like a good thing....However, in actuality, the opposite is true." Cornell's focus is on potential deforestation. Is that green? Full letter linked here.
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