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May Deadline Set for Wind Farm Proposal's Environmental Impact Statement

Posted on: Sunday, 6 November 2005, 18:00 CST

By Cape Cod Times, Hyannis, Mass.

Nov. 4--The federal agency with final say over the Nantucket Sound wind farm proposal could approve or deny the project as soon as January 2007, according to a new regulatory timeline.

The Minerals Management Service, which took the lead role in the controversial review after passage of the 2005 Energy Policy Act, this week established a May deadline for a revised environmental impact statement.

In particular, Cape Wind Associates must address key questions that now fall under the purview of Minerals Management, including construction details and long-term maintenance plans.

Another round of public hearings on these issues was tentatively scheduled for next summer, while a final environmental report would be due in the fall.

MMS is a bureau within the Interior Department that regulates and manages the development of mineral resources in federal waters off the nation's shores.

According to the new energy act, they will now also review offshore renewable projects.

For Cape Wind supporters, the new timeline confirms a longer process than previously anticipated under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The developer had originally hoped the Corps would conclude its review by this fall.

But they said they were pleased that, after months of uncertainty, a process is finally in place.

"It is nice to have things on track," said Mark Rodgers, spokesman for Cape Wind.

"It's going to be important to work together to try to make offshore wind a reality for Massachusetts sooner rather than later."

MMS officials outlined the new process to Cape Wind officials during a visit to New England Wednesday.

They also spoke with leaders from state agencies also reviewing the wind farm plan, and the Army Corps of Engineers, which until last month had lead authority over the review.

"Basically it has it has to do with our cradle-to-the-grave approach," said Gary Strasburg, spokesman for Minerals Management Service.

"Our need is to be familiar with (the proposal) from the time they start putting it in place to the time its finished."

The Cape Wind project would include 130 wind turbines in the shallow waters of Nantucket Sound. While some say it would be a chance to provide renewable energy on a large scale, critics say the sound is the wrong location.

The federal agency had not provided specific requirements for Cape Wind as of yesterday, Rodgers said. But the developer will not have to start from scratch on issues first raised under Army Corps oversight.

Last month, the Army Corps passed review of those questions -- including some 5,000 public comments -- to MMS officials.

Charles Vinick, CEO of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, an organization battling the wind farm, said it gives the public another chance to review the plan.

"It's very important for the public to have the opportunity to fully evaluate and speak to what they see coming from Cape Wind in this further evaluation and review," he said.

Matt Palmer, executive director of Clean Power Now, a Cape group advocating the project, said he was pleased the process is again falling in place.

"The crucial thing is that there is a timeline," he said, "and that we get this project done."

By Kevin Dennehy and David Schoetz

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Copyright (c) 2005, Cape Cod Times, Hyannis, Mass.

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Source: Cape Cod Times

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