KINGSTON, R.I. – April 13, 2026 – David Bidwell, professor of marine affairs at the University of Rhode Island, will share research results on offshore wind community discussions at a free public presentation on Wednesday, May 6, at 6 p.m., at the New Bedford Free Public Library, 613 Pleasant St., New Bedford.
Bidwell will lead a presentation hosted by the Old Bedford Village Community Development Corp. to provide area residents with information related to prior research and community discussions in the area, as well as discuss community priorities and concerns over offshore wind energy development activities.
At URI, Bidwell’s work focuses on how people interact with renewable energy technologies, including offshore wind in southern New England. He began conducting research in New Bedford in 2024.
The one-hour event will report findings from interviews, surveys, and community workshops held last year in New Bedford; New London, Conn.; and Turner Station, Maryland. Each of these communities has served as a hub for offshore wind. The study, aided by Boston University and the University of Delaware, aimed to capture community experiences, understand community priorities and concerns, and suggest ways to track the industry’s community impact.
“Many promises and warnings have been made about how this development will affect communities,” said Bidwell. “Our study sought to document the hopes and worries of community members, with the goal of raising awareness and accountability of this new industry.”
The presentation will include an overview of offshore wind energy development in the Northeast U.S., details on how New Bedford is involved in the industry, and a summary of study findings. There will also be time for questions and feedback.
Old Bedford Village Community Development Corp. Director Buddy Andrade said, “This presentation is a chance for us to give feedback on the study results. It’s important that everyone in the community is heard.”
For more information, visit the event page on the New Bedford Free Public Library’s website or contact David Bidwell at dbidwell@uri.edu.