KINGSTON, R.I. – April 30, 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 Tuesday, May 12, at 6 p.m., at the New London Community Recreation Center, 1 Recreation Way, New London.

Bidwell will lead a presentation hosted by the New London NAACP 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 London in 2024. 

The one-hour event will report findings from interviews, surveys, and community workshops held last year in New London; New Bedford, Massachusetts; 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 London is involved in the industry, and a summary of study findings. There will also be time for questions and feedback. 

New London NAACP President Jean Jordan said, “This is an important chance for members of our community to provide feedback. We want this study to represent everyone’s voice.”

For more information, contact David Bidwell at dbidwell@uri.edu.