Decision on wind farm delayed over fisheries compensation

PROVIDENCE (AP) Rhode Island coastal regulators, at the request of Gov. Daniel J. McKee, are delaying a key decision on an offshore wind farm to give the project developers more time to reach a compensation deal with the fishing industry.

The Coastal Resources Management Council was expected to consider a federal consistency certification at its meeting Thursday for the proposed South Fork Wind Farm of up to 15 turbines in Rhode Island Sound, The Providence Journal reported Tuesday.

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But with the possibility that the CRMC could recommend a denial of the certification, Orsted A/S, the Danish company developing the project with utility Eversource, agreed to extend the deadline for a decision to June 1.

“We fully support the CRMC’s new timeline, as it allows for more dialogue and opportunity to work collectively to reach a fair mitigation agreement and advance this important offshore wind project,” Orsted spokesperson Meaghan Wims said.

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The governor’s office is watching negotiations closely.

“The governor’s office has asked the parties involved in the negotiations to take some additional time to attempt to reach a mutual agreement with respect to issues related to fisheries and offshore wind proposals,” McKee spokesperson Alana O’Hare said in an email.