Final federal approval was granted today by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to
Cape Wind, the company that has fought a nine year long battle to construct America’s first offshore wind farm in the waters off Cape Cod.
“I am approving the Cape Wind project with modifications to the proposed project that will help protect the historic cultural and environmental resources of Nantucket Sound,” said Salazar. Among the additional requirements, developers must reduce the scale of the project to minimize the visual impact by reducing the numbers of turbines proposed from 170 to 130. Additional marine ecological surveys will be required to limit the affect of submerged archeological resources.
This is a landmark decision marking the end of a nearly decade long process involving a multitude of regulatory and political hurdles.
“This will be the first of many projects up and down the Atlantic coast which I expect will come on-line in the years ahead as we build a new energy future for our country.” said Salazar.
Massachusetts late Senator Ted Kennedy fought hard before his death last summer to stop the project which is slated to be built in the waters he sailed with his famous brothers. Once erected, the turbines will be visible from the Kennedy family compound in Hyannis Port.
Massachusetts newly elected Republican Senator Scott Brown released a statement shortly after Salazar’s announcement saying: “I am strongly opposed to the administrations misguided decision to move forward with Cape Wind. While I support the concept of wind power as an alternative source of energy, Nantucket Sound is a national treasure that should be protected from industrialization.”
Not all high profile Massachusetts politicians share Kennedy’s and Brown’s opposition to Cape Wind. Governor Deval Patrick stood at Salazar’s side today hailing the project as a major breakthrough that will provide clean energy to much of the Cape and Islands.
“Today’s decision affirms that, on balance, Cape Wind is good for our environment and good for our energy needs,” said Patrick. “The United States is twenty years behind Europe on offshore wind and China is pulling ahead as fast as it can. America now has a chance to turn that around.”
With approval in hand, Cape Wind hopes to begin construction on the billion dollar project by year’s end and complete building by 2012, creating jobs and ultimately providing enough energy to power 75% of the homes on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
“Secretary Salazar’s decision today to approve Cape Wind has launched the American offshore wind industry. It allows our nation to harness an abundant and inexhaustible clean energy source for greater energy independence, a healthier environment and green jobs,” said Cape Wind President Jim Gordon.
Opponents of Cape Wind have argued the project is too expensive. They say the turbines and construction will negatively impact the fragile marine environment in Nantucket Sound. Some have argued air and sea navigation would be affected. Others say the Cape’s thriving tourism industry would be stunted and that long-treasured ocean views would be destroyed.
While supporters of Cape Wind often dismiss opponents concerns as NIMBY (not in my backyard) complaints, several Native American tribes have argued the turbines will disturb spiritual sun rituals.
The concerns have been addressed by scientific and government studies. A multitude of agencies have weighed in from the Coast Guard to the US Energy Department.
The greenlight from the Obama Administration should move the project forward but lawsuits could further slow progress.