About us

Sailboat passing in front of an offshore wind turbine array.

The Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program established the Sea Grant Offshore Wind Liaison Initiative to serve the National Sea Grant Office and its network of nationwide programs.

We work to provide Sea Grant partners and their audiences with the information they need to optimize their roles as informed participants in offshore wind energy development decision-making.

We prioritize the development and dissemination of outreach and communication materials to best support partner and audience needs for educational information, science-based decision-making, and community social science research.

Liaison Activities

View our blog of educational and capacity building events hosted by the National Sea Grant OWE Liaison Team

Our Team

The National Sea Grant Offshore Wind Energy Liaison Team is based at Rhode Island Sea Grant in partnership with the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography.

Sailboat passing in front of an offshore wind turbine array.

  • National Sea Grant Offshore Wind Energy Liaison Lead

    Jennifer McCann is the director of U.S. Coastal Programs at the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center and director of Extension Programs for Rhode Island Sea Grant. McCann leads research and provides technical support on blue economy-related topics to government decision-makers, the private sector, and the public both locally and abroad. At the request of diverse coastal audiences, McCann has led several nationally important processes to define Rhode Island’s blue, or ocean, economy and identify strategies and recommendations to ensure this sector continues to thrive. For example, she served as a state lead for developing and facilitating the Rhode Island Ocean Special Area Management Plan (Ocean SAMP), which led to the siting of the first offshore wind farm in the United States. The work has generated requests for her guidance and assistance in helping coastal places across the country and globe develop and implement science-driven planning efforts for ocean resources, including offshore renewable energy. McCann is the winner of the Rhode Island Saltwater Angler’s Annual Environmental Award (2020) and a Peter Benchley Ocean Award (2017) and is a 2017 Graduate of Leadership Rhode Island.

    Contact Jen

Abbey Greene, Coast and Ocean Planner, with beach in background.

  • Coast and Ocean Planner

    Abbey Greene is an offshore wind energy and blue economy specialist at the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center and Rhode Island Sea Grant. She supports the National Offshore Wind Energy Liaison Initiative, especially in regard to the topics of community engagement and coastal planning. She focuses on disseminating scientific information and creating an equitable space for all interested parties to come together and reach collaborative solutions. Previously, she worked for several years in the communications realm, focusing on media and event management surrounding environmental issues.

    Contact Abbey

Sue Kennedy, Communications Specialist, with ocean in background.

  • Communications Specialist

    Sue Kennedy is a communications specialist at the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center (URI CRC) and supports communications efforts for Rhode Island Sea Grant. For more than 20 years, Sue has provided the programs with writing expertise for the three main portfolios of work at URI CRC and Sea Grant: coastal and ocean planning, coastal resilience building, and sustainable fisheries. She develops text products for information sharing, storytelling, and fundraising efforts for both online and hard-copy use, and serves as a media and public relations strategist for the programs. She previously applied her writing skills in the state’s economic development arena and as a reporter or editor for several local newspapers. Sue serves on the City of Warwick Wildlife & Conservation Commission.

    Contact Sue

Our Partners

We are grateful to our partners for serving as advisors and collaborators on offshore wind energy issues.