Setting the Record Straight on Offshore Wind

The need for urgent solutions to address global warming and climate change has turned the focus toward renewable energy sources such as offshore wind farms. Offshore wind energy has proven to be a divisive issue in coastal communities. In this year’s presidential election, it is on the ballot. Republican candidate Donald Trump has pledged to shut down the industry on day one of his term if he wins the presidency again.

What role can/should offshore wind play in meeting our climate goals? What happens to those goals if wind is not in the picture? A forum will explore the real pros and cons of offshore wind and combat misinformation about offshore wind and its potential effects on ocean habitat.

The panel will be moderated by Mike Stanton, an author, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter, and a journalism professor at the University of Connecticut.

The panel will include:

• Tricia Jedele, Atlantic Coast Offshore Wind Policy manager at The Nature Conservancy
• Robert D. Kenney, University of Rhode Island marine mammal scientist
• Richard Hittinger, chairman of The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA)’s Legislative and Artificial Reefs committees
• Frank Carini, ecoRI News senior reporter and columnist
• Chris Kearns, acting commissioner of the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources
• Michael Lombardi, diving scientist and founder of Ocean Opportunity Inc.

This panel is hosted by ecoRI News with support from the Pulitzer Center.