Offshore Wind FAQ

Offshore wind complexes are not green. Although wind generated electricity has the potential to add green energy to the grid, without proper battery back-up, the current configuration of wind energy complexes create additional emissions by forcing gas-generated electricity to run inefficiently.

Baleen whales, such as the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, need high concentrations of plankton to adequately feed. The construction, installation, and even operations of offshore wind farms will diminish plankton and force whales to forage over a larger area to feed. This will add stress to their already compromised condition.

According to the US government and the wind developers, all of the projects off the Eastern seaboard, “it is anticipated there will be NO collective impact on global warming as a result of offshore wind projects.”

According to the US Energy Information Administration, offshore wind will cost more than any other form of electricity. High electricity rates always harm the economy.

Filter feeders invade monopile structures and consume copious quantities of plankton, reducing the building blocks of the marine food web, and deoxygenating the water. Although some species may thrive, the overall effect on fisheries is negative.

Although scientists have discovered no direct link between the seismic surveys and the recent spate of whale and dolphin deaths, no one has looked carefully at possible explanations. Rectified diffusion, a physical consequence of sound waves in the mid frequency range, could cause marine mammals to experience tissue damage akin to "the bends." If a connection between offshore wind activities and whale deaths does not exist, then why has NOAA issued over 700,000 permissions to incidentally "take" marine mammals?

Yes. The wind turbines, each up to 1000 feet tall, will be visible from nearly every public beach in the area. The nearest turbines will be between 13 and 16 miles from tourist towns such as Newport, Westport, Aquinnah, and Nantucket. Turbines will be visible from a distance of 40 miles or more.

Yes. The complexes planned off the coast of RI will occupy 1400 square miles. Because the turbines interfere with search and rescue operations, the coast guard will likely not allow sailboats and other recreational vessels to enter the offshore wind complex zone. At least six well known races, including the Bermuda race will be affected.