Historical preservation groups in Newport and Block Island have filed suit against the federal government over the approval of two large offshore wind farms in the ocean waters off Rhode Island, arguing that the projects' towering turbines would ruin views from the Newport mansions, the Southeast Lighthouse and other historic sites. The Preservation Society of Newport County, which owns 11 historic properties, and the Southeast Lighthouse Foundation on Block Island filed appeals this week of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s approval of the South Fork Wind Farm and Revolution Wind.
A lawsuit by groups in Newport and Block Island says offshore wind turbines will cause 'unnecessary loss and irreplaceable character and sense of place'