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Supporters call Preservation Society lawsuit "obstructionist" as debate continues in Newport
Summary
Panelists described an ongoing lawsuit by the Newport Preservation Society and said litigation could add project costs and delays; the Preservation Society declined the panel invitation, leaving critics and proponents to debate impacts in public Q&A.
During audience Q&A, panelists and advocates addressed legal opposition to offshore wind development. Nick Horton of Climate Action Rhode Island described the Newport Preservation Society's lawsuit as part of a wider litigation campaign targeting historic‑view plaintiffs.
"It's our position that, that their lawsuit, is is frivolous and basically is gonna add cost to the project," Horton said, and he told the audience the preservation group was invited to participate but declined. Horton said his organization views the lawsuit as likely to increase project costs that ultimately would be borne by consumers.
Panelists also described meetings with Cultural Heritage Partners (the law firm representing some preservation litigants) and said those groups have approached municipalities about suing; the panelists urged public involvement in permitting and noted that litigation outcomes could change project timelines and costs but did not yield any definitive legal resolution at the meeting.
