Massive Cape Wind Project Takes Giant Step Forward

April 20th, 2011 by Tina Casey

The U.S. Department of Energy has just announced its approval of a construction plan for the nation’s first commercial offshore wind power project, Cape Wind. It’s the beginning of a network of wind power projects envisioned by the Obama administration through the Atlantic Offshore Wind Consortium, which has united ten East Coast states to develop wind energy resources. Governors all across the political spectrum have signed their states onto the project, which just goes to show that for all the political posturing over environmental regulations, there’s no arguing with clean energy that creates new green jobs.

Offshore Wind – Onshore Wind

The American Wind Energy Association is happy with the new announcement, to put it mildy, stating in a press release that “offshore wind power is the new frontier for our industry.” That doesn’t mean onshore wind industry growth is dead, but the statement is consistent with the fact that a tightly coordinated state and federal program to promote wind energy promises more action than, say, dealing with individual state legislatures over wind power.

The Cape Wind Project

DOI’s approval of the Construction and Operations Plan essentially leaves the Cape Wind project intact. It will consist of 130 wind turbines, each with a maximum height of 440 feet, arranged in a grid on the Outer Continental Shelf in Nantucket Sound, off Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Construction could start as early as fall 2011.

Image: Atlantic Ocean by Milan.boers on flickr.com.

Offshore Wind Power around the World (cleantechnica.com)

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Tags: Atlantic Offshore Wind Consortium, Cape Wind, U.S. DOI

About the Author

Tina Casey Tina Casey specializes in military and corporate sustainability, advanced technology, emerging materials, biofuels, and water and wastewater issues. Tina’s articles are reposted frequently on Reuters, Scientific American, and many other sites. Views expressed are her own. Follow her on Twitter @TinaMCasey and Google+.