The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement announced yesterday that it will reduce the area opened for offshore wind leases near Massachusetts, the Cape Cod Times reported today.
The reduced area for federal offshore wind leasing near Massachusetts begins 12 miles offshore and covers 2,542 square nautical miles. Under the original plan the leasing area began nine miles offshore and covered 1,300 additional square nautical miles, according to the Times.
The announcement came yesterday during a meeting of the Massachusetts task force formed to consider offshore wind development in federal waters near the state. The task force will have 10 days to comment on the newest draft and federal officials could issue an official request for information this fall, the Times reported.
Massachusetts, Rhode Island Officials To Collaborate
Energy and planning officials from Massachusetts and Rhode Island will meet on Sept. 15 and Sept. 16 to discuss Rhode Island’s ocean-mapping project, North American Windpower reported yesterday.
The two states signed a memorandum of understanding last month agreeing to work together in developing offshore wind energy projects. The meetings will provide information on how the Rhode Island planning process will be used for offshore wind planning.
Providence Journal Supports Cape Wind
In an editorial published today, the Providence Journal backed the Cape Wind offshore wind project.
The paper said the price of electricity from the project must be compared to projections that fossil fuel prices are expected to rise in coming years.
“Looking at where the world’s going, that’s a bargain,” the Journal wrote.
Thu, Sep 9, 2010
Federal, New England