Community Benefits Snapshot: Block Island Wind Farm Community Benefits Agreement

The Block Island Wind Farm, the first operational offshore wind farm in the U.S., utilized a community benefits agreement (CBA) to secure local support by addressing the island's critical need for mainland electricity and internet connectivity. Key successes included the hiring of a local community liaison and funding for third-party technical consultants for the town. The project resulted in a 40% reduction in electricity rates, the elimination of diesel generators, and the installation of broadband fiber optic cables. While early engagement was perceived as limited, the project's alignment with the island's infrastructure needs and the state's Special Area Management Plan facilitated its approval.

• The Block Island Wind Farm CBA provided critical infrastructure that addressed long-standing local needs, specifically the first-ever transmission line connecting Block Island to the mainland electricity grid and the co-installation of broadband fiber optic cables.
• The project significantly improved energy affordability and reliability for New Shoreham residents, with electricity rates estimated to decrease by 40% and the elimination of frequent blackouts and brownouts caused by previous reliance on diesel generators.
• Environmental benefits included the removal of five diesel generators, which reduced noise pollution, lowered emissions, and eliminated the annual import of 1 million gallons of diesel.
• Deepwater Wind employed two specific strategies to bridge the gap between the developer and the community: hiring a full-time local resident as a community liaison and reimbursing the town for hiring its own technical consultants.
• The project's success was supported by Rhode Island's pre-existing Special Area Management Plan (SAMP), which provided a framework for proactive engagement and identified optimal siting areas to avoid conflicts with shipping, recreation, and fishing.
• Economic benefits beyond infrastructure included a project labor agreement guaranteeing approximately 300 jobs and two donations of roughly $1.25 million each to the Southeast Lighthouse Foundation and the local historical society.
• Despite overall success, some residents felt early engagement was insufficient and that the developer initially ignored feedback that was not aligned with company goals until a local spokesperson was hired.

APA

World Resources Institute (2025). Community Benefits Snapshot: Block Island Wind Farm Community Benefits Agreement. https://www.wri.org/snapshots/community-benefits-snapshot-block-island-wind-farm-community-benefits-agreement

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Community Benefits Snapshot: Block Island Wind Farm Community Benefits Agreement. 2025. https://www.wri.org/snapshots/community-benefits-snapshot-block-island-wind-farm-community-benefits-agreement.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Community Benefits Snapshot: Block Island Wind Farm Community Benefits Agreement |date=31 January 2025 |url=https://www.wri.org/snapshots/community-benefits-snapshot-block-island-wind-farm-community-benefits-agreement |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2025community, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Community Benefits Snapshot: Block Island Wind Farm Community Benefits Agreement}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2025}, month = jan, url = {https://www.wri.org/snapshots/community-benefits-snapshot-block-island-wind-farm-community-benefits-agreement}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }