World's First Offshore Wind Farm?
This past Friday, plans for the world's first offshore wind farm took a big step towards approval. In what has now become a rather bitter fight, the decision over whether to build 130 windmills across 25 miles of federal waters in the Nantucket Sound hurdled past proposed environmental concerns."Massachusetts is one major step closer to becoming home to America's first offshore wind farm", said Jim Gordon, the project's developer," and becoming a global leader in the production of offshore renewable energy." In addition, supporters of the offshore wind farm, among which is Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, say the project will provide cheaper energy, reduce pollution, and create green jobs. So why exactly hasn't this project been approved? Opponents, including Massachusetts's senator Edward Kennedy, maintain that such a project would not only pose certain environmental threats such as endangering birds as well marine life, but also harm the area's tourism and fishing industries. Despite concerns, a report by the Minerals Management Service holds that the Cape Wind Associates' plans pose no real environmental threat.
The Minerals Management Service must wait at least 30 days before issuing its final decision on the project. If issued, the order will include a decision that would set the stage for Cape Wind to seek a federal lease for the project to be located in federal waters. The fate of the development however, lies in the hands of the incoming administration.
President Barack Obama, who wants to double alternative energy production over the next three years, visited Cardinal Fastener factory in Bedford Heights, Ohio, who makes parts for wind turbines. During his visit, the president stressed the importance of such alternative energy sources such as wind/turbine power.
"We're handing off to the next administration," said Minerals Management Service director Randall Luthi. "It is up to them to decide."
