On Monday, July 20, Climate Action Rhode Island / 350 RI joined New England for Offshore Wind, Green Energy Consumers Alliance, Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, and League of Conservation Voters to host a press event at Johnson & Wales University calling out the Trump administration’s attacks on offshore wind.

The event brought together Rhode Island’s entire federal congressional delegation, the state’s Attorney General, and labor, consumer, and environmental advocates to reaffirm their commitment to offshore wind and clean energy, while condemning the Trump administration’s efforts to sell out America’s clean energy future in exchange for deepening our dependence on fossil fuels.

Since March, the Department of the Interior has used the Treasury Department’s Judgment Fund to pay companies approximately $2.7 billion to surrender offshore wind leases in exchange for new fossil fuel development. To date, the Trump administration has bought out nine offshore wind leases—undermining projects that would have delivered affordable, reliable clean energy while advancing new investments in oil and gas.

The timing of the event came just days after wildfire smoke from Canada turned Rhode Island’s skies orange, serving as another stark reminder of the growing impacts of climate change. At a time when we should be accelerating the transition to clean energy, the federal government is instead paying companies to abandon clean, affordable energy in favor of polluting and expensive fossil fuels.

Yes to Wind, No to Dirty Deals recognized Rhode Island’s congressional delegation for using their positions to defend offshore wind in Washington and highlighted the many benefits offshore wind brings to our state—from creating good-paying union jobs and strengthening our economy to reducing pollution and moving us toward a cleaner, more affordable energy future.

Monday’s press event was hosted by Climate Action Rhode Island / 350 RI, New England for Offshore Wind, Green Energy Consumers Alliance, Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, and League of Conservation Voters.

Speaking Program:

• Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
• Senator Jack Reed, Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee
• Representative Seth Magaziner, 2nd Congressional District of Rhode Island
• Representative Gabe Amo, 1st Congressional District of Rhode Island
• Attorney General Peter Neronha, Rhode Island’s 74th Attorney General
• Avery Robertson, Climate Action Rhode Island / 350 RI
• Amanda Barker, Green Energy Consumers Alliance
• Carlos Avila, Environmental League of Massachusetts
• Harrison Antone, Climate Jobs RI

Watch the event here: