U.S. INTERIOR SECRETARY KEN Salazar announced Wednesday that the federal government would start formally accepting proposals proposals for a wind farm off Rhode Island’s shore.
By Chris Barrett PBN Staff Writer Twitter: @CBarrettRI
Posted 8/17/11
NORTH KINGSTOWN – Calling all wind farm developers – the U.S. Department of the Interior wants your proposals for a wind farm off Rhode Island’s shore.
During a media event in North Kingstown, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced Wednesday that the federal government would start formally accepting proposals from developers. He said officials would then review the environmental and technical components of the plans due by Oct. 3. Formal leases would come later.
The department is specifically looking for projects that fall within an area roughly between Martha’s Vineyard and Block Island. It’s a subset of an area identified by the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council as a prime spot for wind turbines after undertaking an exhaustive study called the ocean Special Area Management Plan.
“Today’s announcement reflects the kind of efficient, forward-thinking planning we must do to quickly and responsibly stand up an American offshore wind industry,” Salazar said. “By focusing on priority areas with high wind potential and fewer conflicts and conducting early, coordinated reviews, we can accelerate the leasing process and drive investment, development, and jobs to Rhode Island and Massachusetts.”
State officials have long touted the potential to build a wind farm industry hub at Quonset Business Park, where Salazar made his announcement. Providence-based Deepwater Wind has already pledged to construct an assembly plant in the park if it wins approval for a 100-turbine wind farm it wants off of Rhode Island’s shore.
On Wednesday, the company said it planned to file an application with the federal government seeking permission to move forward with the 1,000-megawatt farm.
That farm would be in federal waters, unlike the company’s smaller Block Island project that would sit in state waters. That project – with five or six turbines – is moving forward after the company won a court battle challenging the approvals process and cost of electricity from the farm.
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