From Green Right Now Reports
A new round of storms is brewing over wind power in New England after a federal advisory panel recommended that the U.S. Interior Department block a controversial $1 billion project that has drawn opposition from local business leaders and politicians.
Cape Wind Associates LLC proposes building 130 wind towers that would rise 440 feet above the surface of Nantucket Sound. At issue: The towers would be visible from popular tourist areas such as Cape Cod, Nantucket Island and Martha’s Vineyard.
Image: Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
Concerns about the impact on those attractions prompted the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to give a thumbs-down to the project. The Council determined that the undertaking would adversely affect 34 historic properties, 16 historic districts, 12 individually significant historic properties and six more properties of religious and cultural significance to local Indian tribes.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar asked the panel for advice but is not bound to accept its guidance. The Obama administration supports increasing the amount of electricity generated from wind and solar power and other forms of renewable energy. The Cape Wind project would provide electricity to about 400,000 homes and would become the country’s first major offshore wind farm.
In response to the Advisory Council’s findings, Cape Wind issued a press release stating that although it disagreed, it is “pleased that the Interior Secretary has a complete record to make a final decision on the project.”
Salazar is expected to make a decision on the issue by the end of April.