January 2025 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We hope your 2025 is starting off well!

January has been a busy month for Green Oceans. First off, we’d like to announce our brand new website! Visit green-oceans.org to explore a wealth of information related to the ocean, biodiversity, and the detrimental effects of offshore wind on the environment. Don’t forget to view the “Get Involved” page for more information about how you can support Green Oceans.

Another change—of much greater magnitude—is the administration in Washington. Over the past few years, many people at Green Oceans have reached out to local and national politicians from both political parties in an effort to engage in meaningful conversations concerning offshore wind. There is no question that the new administration is concerned about its negative impacts. Click here to read the White House orders issued on January 20th, 2025 as they apply to offshore wind.

What does all this mean for Green Oceans and our ongoing efforts to protect the health of the ocean? There are numerous possibilities, a few are listed here, but it’s not over until it’s over which means IT’S GO TIME as we double down on our efforts:

• The Department of Justice could decide not to defend The Department of the Interior from Green Oceans’ lawsuit. If this happens, the plaintiffs (in this case Green Oceans and our co-plaintiffs) “win”, and construction is potentially halted. It would be the Judge’s decision as to what comes next. We would then ask that the Judge order the existing turbines be removed. Leaving the foundations in place is not an option, as the anti corrosion coatings would continue to harm the marine ecosystem and threaten seafood safety.

• Legal Challenges: The U.S. Attorney General has been instructed to investigate the viability of 'terminating or modifying' existing leases, which could result in legal actions against permitted projects. Read More.

• Permit Review and Potential Modification: The order directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a comprehensive review of existing wind energy leases, potentially forcing the issuance of a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, or a completely new one. While legally challenging, there is a possibility that federal agencies could attempt to revoke or modify existing permits based on the review's findings. Read more.

Below are a few quotes from E&E News to help guide you through the labyrinth of the new landscape:

“The order stops short of freezing construction of offshore projects along the East Coast, as sought by wind opponents and feared by the industry’s supporters. But it does direct the Interior secretary to review existing wind permits.”

“It directed the attorney general to seek a stay or postponement of pending litigation until a review of wind permits and leases is complete.”

“Directing the Interior secretary to remove all lands on the outer continental shelf from wind leasing. It also calls for any immediate cessation on issuing new wind permits pending a review by the Agriculture, Energy and Interior secretaries, as well as the EPA administrator.

But it also heaps uncertainty on existing projects. While the order notes “nothing in this withdrawal affects rights under existing leases,” it also directs the Interior secretary to conduct a comprehensive review to determine if “terminating or amending any existing wind energy leases” is warranted.

Recent Developments

By the Numbers

Public opinion continues to shift. Did you know that Green Oceans now has a combined constituency of 15,500 followers between social media and email marketing channels? As a non-partisan group, we recently opened accounts on both Truth Social and Bluesky.

Not following Green Oceans? See our social links here:

• Instagram

• Facebook

• X

• Threads

• Truth Social

• Bluesky

• YouTube

Watch our viral video regarding the Vineyard Wind blade failure, which has been viewed over 1.5 million times, here.

Wind Wars: Your Chance to Speak Up for Middletown's Future!

Attention Middletown property owners and concerned citizens: the Planning Board is seeking community input on offshore wind development, and now is the time  to make your voice heard. Email your comments BEFORE February 12th, 2025 to TownCouncil@middletownri.com

Consider attending the Planning Board meeting on February 12th in person to discuss offshore wind development’s potential negative impacts on: the ocean ecosystem, property values, local economics, human health, and more.

Planning Board member Leon Amarant has already expressed concern about windmills potentially "ruining the vistas of town beaches". This is your opportunity to shape Middletown's energy, economic and environmental future. Don't miss your chance to provide critical feedback on this significant local issue!

Deadlines and Redlines: Comment Submissions

Over the holidays, Green Oceans volunteers were hard at work responding to the Coastal Resource Management Council’s (CRMC) December 28th Deadline for Permit File Number: 2023-02-090 Application for SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC – State of Rhode Island Assent and Freshwater Wetlands Permit. Multiple individuals as well as Green Oceans, with the support of experts, provided response submissions based on the 950+ page study that was made available to the public. Read our comment submission here.

Looking Ahead and Behind!

Looking behind, we want to thank all those who supported our year-end appeal, and made gifts in 2024. Your contributions have helped us continue our legal actions at the State and Federal Level.

Looking ahead—it’s never too late to make a gift!  Donations to our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law. Please donate by clicking below.

Other Ways to Donate

• Mail a check to:
  Green Oceans
  P.O. Box 976
  Little Compton, RI 02837

• Contact us at info@green-oceans.org for alternative methods such as Donor Advised Fund (DAF), Wire or Stock Transfer.

Making a donation to Green Oceans will greatly improve our chances of ending offshore wind construction in our area. 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.

Helpful Information

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Attention Massachusetts Residents

If you live in Massachusetts, FREE Home Energy Assessments (Virtual or In-Person) are available through a no-cost assessment allowing you to learn about energy-saving opportunities specific to your home. Learn more here!

Fun Fact

January is named after Janus, the Roman god of all beginnings. Janus was said to have had two heads; one looking backward, and one looking forward. Momentum is in our favor, and we’re looking forward to carrying the fight into the new year.

Newsletter Nightcap

“If it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production.”
― Pete Seeger

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 3,000 signatures from 30 States and nine countries, but we need 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 non-partisan, grassroots group of community members dedicated to preserving the health of the ocean and the biodiversity it sustains founded in January 2023.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.