Offshore Wind Power Plant Overcomes Major Obstacle

"The agency's nearly 2,000-page draft environmental impact statement makes clear that the federal government is inclined to approve construction of the 130 turbines in Nantucket Sound, 5 miles from the nearest coastline, unless major new concerns arise during a public comment period. Federal approval would probably come late this year or early next year, and remaining state permits are not expected to be a major obstacle, given that Governor Deval Patrick is in favor of the project.

With rising oil and natural gas prices enhancing its financial feasibility, the wind farm, expected to cost more than $1 billion, could be operating by 2011, its developer, Cape Wind Associates, said yesterday."