BOSTON (The Associated Press) - May 30

 

A Quincy developer on Tuesday applied for state approval to build a $750 million offshore wind farm with 90 to 120 turbines in Buzzards Bay.

The turbines would provide an energy source equal to 2 percent of the current statewide electrical energy consumption, according to the application filed with the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, which will begin a review process.

Under the Buzzards Bay proposal, windmills 400 feet high would be built 3 to 4 miles off the coast of Sconticut Neck in Fairhaven, Barneys Joy in Dartmouth and Naushon Island, one of the Elizabeth Islands.

Patriot Renewables LLC, a renewable energy subsidiary of Jay Cashman Inc., must win numerous regulatory approvals for the mega-project. Cashman did not immediately return a call on Tuesday.

Separately, a proposal by Cape Wind Associates to build 130 turbines in Nantucket Sound faces considerable opposition from state leaders including U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy and Gov. Mitt Romney.

Romney spokesman Eric Ferhnstrom said the governor supports wind power projects if the location is appropriate.

"Nantucket Sound is a body of water that is recognized around the world as a national treasure," he said of Romney's opposition to the Cape Wind proposal.

"We do not want to encourage development in the Sound. We have always believed there are other viable sites both offshore and inland for the development of wind power."

Ferhnstrom said Cashman's proposal is "an interesting idea and one that's worth exploring."

The locations of the turbines, which would generate an annual total of about 300 megawatts of power, are subject to change based on feedback from the public and other stakeholders, Cashman said in his filing.

"Patriot recognizes that to be truly successful, the project needs to be designed to interact harmoniously with existing environmental, recreational, and commercial uses occurring within Buzzards Bay," the filing stated.

Cashman, who lives in West Falmouth, states in the filing that the project can be completed by 2010. Patriot Renewables is based in Quincy.