Department of the Interior has approved the “Cape Wind” (Cape Wind) project, as the nation’s first offshore wind farm construction paved the way for.

“Cape Wind” project has long been in a pickle. Years, residents of Massachusetts, Cape region, Indian tribes, politicians struggle with the ongoing project developers.

Interior, Ken Sala Charles (Ken Salazar) 4 月 28 announced a project approved the decision. Salazar said: “In the long process of assessment and consultation, after careful consideration of all parties concerned, an overall analysis of the factors involved in the project, we think we should respect the public interest, approval of ‘Cape Wind’ project. We energy future for the United States to open up a new direction, Kai build the nation’s first offshore wind power generation facilities, opening a new chapter in the history of the region. ”

United States, the first offshore wind farm Controversy

Salazar also pointed out that “Cape Wind” project size from 170 wind turbines, reduced to 130, was imposed special requirements needed to conduct archaeological research on the coast, to ensure that locally important protected areas. Wind turbines is to reduce the number of compression on the local Historic Landmark and the nearby islands of. The project is expected to Massachusetts residents of 180 megawatts of electricity to meet demand for electricity 75% of households.

Once the seabed to identify potential cultural and historic resources, developers need to stop the operation, and any unexpected archaeological discovery to notify the Government. Salazar said: “The project will minimize the impact of historical features, the project’s construction, operation and decommissioning, we will ensure that cultural resources are not damaged.”

Salazar said the governor’s letter northeast coastal states played an important impact on the approval decision. Governors said, according to previous recommendations of the federal review team history, all over the east coast most of the proposed wind generators project will not continue.

“Christian Science Monitor” says Europe’s offshore wind farm scale, the United States lags far behind. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (Deval Patrick) of the Ministry of the Interior United States welcomed the decision. In his view, the decision is of great significance, for the offshore wind power industry in the United States paved the way for the development.

Some energy industry analysts agreed. Wind energy industry analyst  (Matt Kaplan) said: “This is the offshore wind industry, symbolic step. ‘Cape Wind’ project has become the pioneer of offshore wind power. The project will mark the completion of of a new industry in the U.S. Open. ”

But the Cape region Masha elegant island (Martha’’s Vineyard) after an Indian tribe, said Ministry of the Interior to approve the project if the United States would Salazar litigation. The tribe said the wind turbines on their “holy” cause a disturbance. Others have also expressed opposition. Protection of Nantucket Island Strait Alliance spokesman Padidining (Patty Dineen) said: “We will definitely take legal action.”

Salazar said the Ministry of the Interior’s decision was based on nine years of environmental and other assessments, he is convinced that the decision will be supported in court.

Great potential for offshore wind power

U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) has estimated U.S. offshore region alone could generate 90,000 megawatts of electricity. A Department of Energy found that wind energy could provide 20% of U.S. electricity, up to 30 megawatts, of which about one-sixth of the wind from the sea.

Environmentalists say, “Cape Wind” project was approved in the United States in response to global warming, a major step forward on the road, this will enable wind energy to replace fossil fuel-based energy.

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