BOSTON, MA, DECEMBER 23, 2008 – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has approved Cape Wind’s Chapter 91 Waterways Application. 

In the letter notifying Cape Wind of their decision, a DEP official stated, “the Department determines that the proposed project serves a proper public interest which provides greater public benefit than detriment to the public’s rights in said tidelands”. 

In a bipartisan move, Senate Energy Chairman Jeff Bingaman and Ranking Member Pete Domenici call for the public release of Cape Wind's Final Environmental Impact Statement in a letter sent to Interior Secretary Kempthorne and MMS Director Luthi.  The Senators' letter clarifies several points of law that relate to the MMS permitting review of Cape Wind and why that review should now be reaching its conclusion.

Click here to see the Senate Energy Committee Press Release and to read the Senators' letter

Click here to read a related article on Cape Cod Today

Falmouth Enterprise Editorial:

A major milestone in the quest to have the Cape Cod Wind Farm project leave the drawing board and head to construction on Horseshoe Shoal in Nantucket Sound is set for release next week. The Minerals Management Service is scheduled to issue its Final Environmental Impact Report, which will be followed within 30 days by the record of decision.

It has been a tortuous journey for Cape Wind and its president Jim Gordon. The project’s major opponent, the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, has endeavored to halt the wind farm every step of the way since the regulatory review process began November 15, 2001.  The alliance is automatically dismissive of any approval Cape Wind receives from the federal and state agencies charged with its oversight.

...In addition to its existing renewable energy sources, including hydropower dams and natural gas from landfills, Massachusetts must continue to promote other green energy projects such as the controversial proposal by Cape Wind to build 130 energy-producing wind turbines in Nantucket Sound, which has the support of the governor.

We're proud that Massachusetts Gov. Deval L. Patrick has made clean, renewable energy one of his administration's top agenda items. The Bay State has already demonstrated its leadership in supporting green technology. This is no time to let up on that mission.
Note: Click here to read this editorial in the Springfield Republican

...“Ken Salazar’s solid record as a supporter of renewable energy suggests he is well prepared for one of the fundamental challenges facing the Department of Interior: the need for solid stewardship of federal lands while allowing those lands to be part of the climate solution by hosting massive new renewable energy developments,” said Seth Kaplan, a vice president of the Conservation Law Foundation, in an e-mail message.  Mr. Salazar has supported a goal of getting 25 percent of the nation’s energy from renewable sources by 2025.

Nathanael Greene of the Natural Resources Defense Council predicted that Mr. Salazar would be a boon for Cape Wind, the controversial Massachusetts offshore wind farm. (The N.R.D.C. supports its construction.) “On that issue, to all accounts he gets it and will treat the project fairly,” he said in an e-mail messag, noting that the main hurdle remaining is the release of a final environmental impact statement despite recent delays. The Department of the Interior oversees the Minerals Management Service, which is due to release the environmental report.

Note: Click here to read this New York Times article

Click here to read Boston Globe lead editorial, "An Ahab for Cape Wind", that exposes the latest political move to delay Cape Wind

Click here to view NECN guest host Chet Curtis' interview of Cape Wind President Jim Gordon that aired on News Night on December 15

The U.S. Coast Guard has announced that it will delay its delivery of a technical report on Cape Wind's possible impacts on marine radar systems to the Minerals Management Service, in response to a request made by Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar (D).

Click here to read related commentary by Jon Keller of CBS WBZ

Click here to read related article in the Boston Globe

Click here to read related article in the Cape Cod Times

Click here to read a series of articles on this topic on Cape Cod Today

...Cape Wind will not be a panacea for the region’s energy needs, but it could provide up to 170 megawatts of power annually, or 75 percent of the electricity needs of Cape Cod and the Islands. Whether it proves to be an economic success for its developers remains to be seen, but our nation — and New England, in particular — is in desperate need of innovative, low-carbon, environmentally friendly means of generating power for this and coming generations.

It’s time to let Cape Wind proceed.
Note: Click here to read this Worcester Telegram & Gazette Editorial

The Coast Guard commander responsible for the waters off southeastern New England announced yesterday that the proposed Nantucket Sound wind farm poses no significant problem for marine radar.

During a follow-up conference call with participants of an October workshop, Coast Guard Capt. Raymond Perry said if the developer adheres to proposed mitigation techniques and Coast Guard conditions the project is "doable."

"The Coast Guard has to make the assessment on whether we can do this project or not," Perry said. "I'm telling you right now that I have already made that determination."
Note: Click here to read this Cape Cod Times article