---------- Forwarded message ----------From: Miles Grant <grantm@nwf.

org>Date: Wed, Sep 25, 2013 at 3:15 PMSubject: NWF: Block Island Wind Remains a Golden Opportunity for Clean EnergyTo: akuffner@providencejournal.com
Contact: Miles Grant, National Wildlife Federation, GrantM@NWF .org, 703-864-9599

Block Island Wind Remains a Golden Opportunity for Clean Energy

Washington, DC (September 25, 2013) Deepwater Wind is reportedly shifting its Block Island wind energy transmission cable plan, now working with Rhode Islands Department of Environmental Management on a plan to bury the cable under Scarborough State Beach and deliver the clean energy to the regional power grid. Catherine Bowes, senior manager for climate and energy at the National Wildlife Federations Northeast Regional Center, said today: Conservationists are united behind offshore wind energy, an essential step toward protecting our communities and wildlife from the dangers of climate-disrupting carbon pollution. Moving forward with clean energy like offshore wind is essential to confronting climate impacts, including superstorms like Sandy that ravaged Narragansett and the entire Northeast coast and the sea level rise speeding erosion at Block Islands Mohegan Bluffs. It can also cut the high electricity costs on Block Island, currently powered by a polluting diesel generator. Offshore wind energy can and must be developed in a wildlife-friendly manner. Scientific studies show that properly locating turbines and requiring best management practices can minimize impacts on birds, bats, sea turtles and marine mammals. Deepwater Wind has demonstrated its willingness to work with conservationists to go above and beyond whats required by law to protect endangered species like right whales. Southeastern New Englands coastal waters have some of the best offshore wind energy

resources in the world. The technology to harvest it is ready right now, and we have workers ready to do the job. Its time to take advantage of this golden opportunity to make our electricity supply cleaner, more wildlife-friendly and more secure. Read the National Wildlife Federations report on Atlantic offshore wind energy and get more National Wildlife Federation news at NWF .org/News. *** The National Wildlife Federation is America's largest conservation organization inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.