Congressional Action Could Kill Planned Wind Farm, Backers Say

[Shelor]

A proposal before Congress that would limit the construction of wind turbines near shipping lanes could effectively doom plans to build the country's first offshore wind farm near Massachusetts, the project's supporters say.

Officials at Cape Wind Associates LLC say that the rule, being considered as an amendment to a bill in a House-Senate conference committee, would rule out so many crucial sections of Nantucket Sound that there would not be enough space for their 130-windmill complex.

"This is a dire moment for us," said Mark Rodgers, a Cape Wind spokesman. He said the rule "would be totally fatal" for the project.

The Cape Wind project, begun four years ago, has proved consistently controversial: Though environmentalists have praised it for providing a renewable source of energy, Cape Wind has determined opponents who are concerned about its impact on fishing, navigation and beachfront views.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/25/AR2006022501264.html

[niallmac]

1. And once we run out of oil would they not interfere with our schooners?

[Poll_Blind]

3. So true... n/t

PB

[sam sarrha]

2. there is a law prohibiting owners of Windmills to use any of the power if

they are selling any to the Power Companies.. they have to buy it back after they sell it.

[Davis_X_Machina]

4. Nantucket Sound is shallow....

....and doesn't contain any 'shipping lanes' except the ferries to MV and Nantucket, and fishing vessels.

All the heavy stuff goes 'round the Cape outside the Islands and the Outer Cape.

Gas and heating oil barges and the like go through the Canal.