About Us

The Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program established the Sea Grant Energy 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 evolving energy discussions in coastal communities happening all over the country.

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.

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 Energy Liaison Lead

    Jennifer McCann is the 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 numerous 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. 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.

  • Ocean Planning Specialist

    Abbey Greene is an Ocean Planning Specialist at Rhode Island Sea Grant. She supports the National Offshore Wind Energy Liaison Initiative, especially on anything related to community engagement and coastal planning. She focuses on disseminating scientific information and creating collaborative spaces for all interested parties to come together and reach 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 Rhode Island Sea Grant. For more than 20 years, Sue has provided coastal programs with writing expertise across portfolios of work at 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 also serves on the City of Warwick Wildlife & Conservation Commission.

    Contact Sue