Massachusetts Moves Closer to Having Nation's
First Offshore Wind Farm and More Secure Energy Future
BOSTON, Jan 16, 2009 -- BUSINESS WIRE
After seven and a half years of comprehensive environmental review, scores
of public hearings and community meetings, and energy challenges that make
Cape Wind more essential now than when it was first proposed in 2001, the
lead agency in charge of offshore energy projects today released its
2,800-page Final Environmental Impact Statement on Cape Wind.
"This report validates the project will create new jobs, increase energy
independence and fight global warming while being a good neighbor to the
ecosystem of Nantucket Sound," said the project's developer, Jim Gordon.
"Massachusetts is one major step closer to becoming home to America's first
offshore wind farm and becoming a global leader in the production of
offshore renewable energy," Gordon added. "This moment would not have
arrived without the steadfast support of environmental, labor, health and
citizen advocacy groups throughout the region and I want to thank them for
the important role they have played throughout this public process."
From the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Final Environmental Impact
Statement (FEIS):
-- Horseshoe Shoal in Nantucket Sound is environmentally and economically
superior to the alternative site locations that were studied.
-- Cape Wind will reduce regional air pollution emissions of sulfur dioxide,
nitrogen oxide and mercury, pollutants that harm human health.
-- Cape Wind will reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions that contribute
to climate change by 880,000 tons per year.
-- Building Cape Wind will create hundreds of jobs and generate over a
half-billion dollars in non-labor purchases in Massachusetts and Rhode
Island.
-- Cape Wind will not increase energy prices in New England and could help
to lower energy clearing prices.
-- Most of Cape Wind's electricity will be consumed on Cape Cod and the
Islands where it will supply 3/4 of that region's electricity and improve
electric transmission performance.
-- Cape Wind will have a substantial positive impact on electrical
generating capacity and help Massachusetts achieve its renewable energy
requirements under the State's Renewable Portfolio Standard.
-- Cape Wind will have no major impacts on navigation, fishing, or tourism.
Now that the MMS has issued the FEIS, its Record of Decision on granting a
lease to Cape Wind could come within 30 days. According to the MMS FEIS its,
"...final decision would account for the regional, state, and local benefits
and impacts as well as for the overall public interest of the United
States."
The FEIS comes one year after MMS issued a Draft EIS which generated over
42,000 written public comments, over 40,000 of which were in support of the
project. Prior to the MMS becoming the lead Federal Reviewing Agency, the US
Army Corps of Engineers issued a comprehensive 3,800-page DEIS on Cape Wind
in November, 2004 that found significant public benefits and few impacts.
In March, 2007, Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and
Environmental Affairs Ian A. Bowles certified that Cape Wind's environmental
impact report on the proposed transmission lines adequately and properly
complied with the statutory requirements of the Massachusetts Environmental
Policy Act. At that time, Secretary Bowles noted that Cape Wind's impact on
reducing greenhouse gas emissions was the equivalent of removing 175,000
cars off the road each year.
In 2005, the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Sting Board approved Cape
Wind's application after a 32-month review that included 2,900 pages of
transcripts, 923 exhibits and 50,000 pages of documentary evidence. The
Siting Board found that Cape Wind would meet an identified need for
electricity and would provide a reliable energy supply for Massachusetts,
with a minimum impact on the environment at the least cost. The Siting
Board's approval was later upheld by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial
Court.
Cape Wind officials expect to complete the permitting process by March,
2009.
Cape Wind's proposal to build America's first offshore wind farm on
Horseshoe Shoal would provide three-quarters of the electricity used on Cape
Cod and the Islands from clean, renewable energy - reducing this region's
need to import oil, coal and gas. Cape Wind will create new jobs, stable
electric costs, contribute to a healthier environment, increase energy
independence and establish Massachusetts as a leader in offshore wind power.
For more information visit www.capewind.org.
SOURCE: Cape Wind
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