First US offshore wind farm finally gets OK

Australian
Friday 30/4/2010 Page: 9

WASHINGTON: The first US offshore wind farm project planned near the coast of Massachusetts won government approval yesterday after nearly a decade of battles involving environmentalists, Indian tribes and others. The Obama administration approved the development, delivering a major victory for the wind energy industry. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar gave the green light for the giant Cape Wind project in the scenic channel between Cape Cod and the resort Islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket off the coast of the northeast US state.

"After careful consideration of all the concerns expressed during the lengthy review and consultation process and thorough analyses of the many factors involved, I find that the public benefits weigh in favour of approving the Cape Wind project at the Horseshoe Shoal location," Mr Salazar said. "With this decision we are beginning a new direction in our nation's energy future, ushering in America's first offshore wind energy facility and opening a new chapter in the history of this region."

Mr Salazar said he would require the developer of the billion dollar wind farm to agree to measures to minimise the potential adverse impacts of construction and operation of the facility. Opponents including members of the Kennedy family, whose historic compound overlooks Nantucket Sound say the project will mar the sound, a popular summer playground, and interfere with fishing and recreation. First proposed in 2001, the Cape Wind project has been watched closely by other offshore developers. Offshore projects already are operating in Europe, while analysts expect the US to see some development in the coming decade, focused mostly in the northeast.

US President Barack Obama, who holidayed last northern summer on Martha's Vineyard, has not publicly taken sides in the dispute but has spoken about the need for cleaner energy. Critics have argued that the wind turbines would hurt fishing, endanger aircraft, lead to higher utility rates and have a negative impact on tourism. The Wampanoag Indians have claimed the location is a "traditional cultural property," and thus worthy of preservation, and that the 135m high towers would interfere with spiritual ceremonies.

Mr Salazar said he was "mindful of our unique relationship with the tribes and carefully considered their views and concerns" before making his decision. The project site is about 8km from the mainland shoreline, 22km from Nantucket Island and 14.5km from Martha's Vineyard. Nevertheless, the government has required the developer to reduce the number of turbines and reconfigure the array to diminish its visual effects. The developer will be required to paint the turbines off-white to reduce contrast with the sea and sky yet remain visible to birds.

Officials said no daytime aviation lighting will be on the turbines, unless the US Coast Guard requires them to ensure navigation safety. Night lighting for aviation will be reduced, lessening the potential visual impacts during the night. Cape Wind involves 130 wind turbine towers to produce as much as 468MWs enough power for 75% of energy needs of Cape Cod and the nearby Islands. A number of similar projects have been proposed for other northeast coastal states.