No
Major Environmental Impacts Found
Today the Cape Wind Project, an off-shore wind farm proposed off the
coast of Cape Cod, is one step closer to construction. The agency in
charge of the project’s federal
environmental review released their draft review of the project today.
The draft review found that building and
operating the project would have “negligible” or “minor” impacts on
vegetation,
wildlife, and ship and air traffic.
“I am excited that today, we are one step closer to
realizing the benefits of clean, homegrown energy,” said Diana Connett, energy
associate with Environment Massachusetts.
This draft analysis comes after more than six years of
federal, state, and local review of the project. This long-awaited report is the first step in
the federal review process and will be followed by a 60-day public comment
period, public hearings, and then a final environmental impact report.
“We have accumulated many problems from our energy choices,
including sky-rocketing energy bills, a strained infrastructure, and the
reality of global warming. Cape Wind
is an important step on the path toward a new energy future,” added Connett.
While the federal review moves forward, the Cape Wind
Project’s state-level review continues.
Currently, Cape
Wind is appealing the
Cape Cod Commission’s procedural denial of its application to the Energy
Facilities Siting Board. The public
comment period will close at the end of January for this process.
“We are confident that this open and thorough
review of the project will find that Cape
Wind is good for the environment
and good for citizens of the Commonwealth,” concluded Connett.
