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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

First U.S. Offshore Wind Farm in Massachusetts Approved

04/28/2010
The federal government today approved the construction of the country's first offshore wind farm, the New York Times reported. The project, called Cape Wind, will construct 130 turbines off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

"This will be the first of many projects up and down the Atlantic coast," said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar at the Massachusetts Statehouse.

Nantucket Sound would be the home of the new turbines, which would be spread over 24 square miles. But the project could be delayed for years, as opponents of the project have said they will take their grievances to court.

According to supporters, the $1 billion project will provide clean energy for up to 75 percent of power needs on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. It would also add construction jobs to the area.

Opponents - including the local Wampanoag Indian tribe and Senator Scott Brown - say the project will negatively affect the area's ambience and will increase, not decrease, energy costs.

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