Fishermen back compensation plan for wind farm proposal
February 25, 2019
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, Rhode Island (AP)—A Rhode Island fishing board has endorsed an offshore wind developer’s offer to pay millions of dollars to offset impacts to the fishing industry.
The Providence Journal reports the Fishermen’s Advisory Board unanimously approved the revised compensation offer from Vineyard Wind.
The proposal would provide $4.2 million over 30 years for impacts to commercial fishermen. Under the plan, a $12.5 million trust would also be set up over five years for additional costs to fishermen.
Vineyard Wind wants to build an 84-turbine wind farm in Rhode Island Sound. The company applauded the fishing board’s decision, calling it a “win-win package.”
The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council will vote on the $2 billion project on Feb. 26.
