PR Firm Makes Claim About Impact of RI Offshore Wind, But Cannot Provide Any Proof

PR Firm Makes Claim About Impact of RI Offshore Wind, But Cannot Provide Any Proof

Last week, GoLocal received a press release claiming that offshore wind projects could adversely impact outdoor dining views in Rhode Island.

“With offshore wind development increasing off Rhode Island's coasts, some outdoor restaurants may find their views affected as well as audible sound from the turbines affecting their ambiance, and more. This raises questions about how this development might impact the thriving outdoor dining business. Green Oceans, a non-partisan group of Rhode Island community members focused on combating climate change while protecting biodiversity and ocean health, is concerned about the potential economic consequences for coastal businesses,” wrote Erin O’Dell, an associate account executive at Steinreich Communications Group, Inc. in Hackensack, New Jersey.

O’Dell made the pitch on behalf of Dr. Elizabeth Quattrocki Knight, president and co-founder of Green Oceans — a group comprised primarily of wealthy homeowners in Little Compton who have opposed offshore wind.

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The PR firm Steinreich Communications claims offices in Dubai, London, and Washington, to name a few.

“As we approach outdoor dining season and witness the progress of offshore wind construction, I thought you might be interested in a conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Quattrocki Knight, president and co-founder of Green Oceans, regarding offshore wind and its economic implications for Rhode Island,” wrote O’Dell who according to her LinkedIn profile has only been with the New Jersey PR firm for five months.

GoLocal requested from the PR firm, “Do you have any specific locations that would be impacted? Have you done any renderings or mock-ups to scale to show the impact?”

For a number of days, O’Dell did not respond.

Then, after repeated requests, O’Dell responded.

“As per my pitch, Green Oceans expressed economic concern in the region regarding this issue and did not claim that this will definitely impact local outdoor dining," said O'Dell. 

Then, O'Dell cited one location that may be impacted — one of Aquidneck Island's most exclusive private member clubs. 

“However, the Clambake Club of Newport in Middletown [Rhode Island] and the location of the establishment would be in line with offshore wind development. While we cannot speak on behalf of the club, we recommend reaching out to one of their representatives to discuss this matter further. If more potential locations are disclosed, I will be sure to pass along,” O’Dell added.

The private and exclusive Clambake Club has a membership that includes some of the country's wealthiest.

According to a 1995 filing for designation to include the club on the Historic Register, “Located in Middletown, the Clambake Club of Newport was founded by some of Newport's most prominent members of society in attempt to escape the pretensions and formalities of the Bellevue Avenue social scene. While the original members sought a country setting away from the busy streets of Newport for their leisure activities, the name that they chose makes their association with this prominent city quite clear. Some of the early members of the Clambake Club of Newport included Maximillian Agassiz, Cornelius Vanderbilt and Robert Goelet."

U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has been a member of the Clambake Club.

GoLocal asked what energy companies the firm represents, and O’Dell said, “As for our firm’s energy clients, we are unable to disclose that information due to client confidentiality.”

The CEO of the PR firm, Stan Steinreich, claims in his bio that he has represented Royal Dutch Shell.