Rhode Island Energy announced on April 14 that it is continuing efforts to protect ospreys during the spring nesting season while maintaining reliable electric service by addressing nests built near electrical infrastructure.
The initiative aims to balance wildlife protection with the need for safe and uninterrupted electricity. Ospreys, which return from winter migration in early spring, often build nests on utility poles or other elevated locations that can pose risks both to the birds and to electric reliability.
Jonathan Ducharme, Senior Environmental Professional at Rhode Island Energy, said, “Our approach is about planning and balance. We want to keep wildlife safe and undisturbed whenever possible, while also preventing conditions that could pose risks to the birds or lead to outages for customers.”
To address these concerns, environmental specialists and field crews assess nest locations near power lines. When necessary, they install dedicated nesting platforms nearby as safer alternatives. In many cases, these platforms are put in place before nesting begins so ospreys can relocate naturally. If a nest must be moved after construction has started, trained crews carefully transfer it to a new platform designed for continued use by the birds.
“These birds are remarkably resilient,” Ducharme said. “In many situations, the ospreys return quickly to the relocated nest, which shows that the approach works for both safety and conservation.” The company works closely with environmental consultants as well as state and federal wildlife agencies throughout this process.
By monitoring known nesting areas early in the season and addressing potential hazards proactively, Rhode Island Energy seeks not only to protect osprey populations but also reduce outage risks caused by nest materials and minimize emergency work during peak periods. The public can observe local ospreys through a live camera hosted by community organizations or find more information on relevant conservation websites.
