February 21, 2007
Massachusetts

Cape Wind files final state permitting application

Cape Wind calls last week’s filing of the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) another “permitting milestone” for the 130-turbine project proposed for Horseshoe Shoals in Nantucket Sound. Opponents see room for concern.

The filing was submitted to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office Thursday, starting a 30-day comment period on the document. The FEIR is the company’s response to suggestions and questions raised in the draft statement, presented in 2005.

“We hope this filing brings the public benefits of cleaner air, greater energy independence and new jobs closer to becoming a reality for the citizens of Massachusetts,” Cape Wind president Jim Gordon said in a press statement.

But the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound sees the filing, which comes in advance of a regulatory process for federal reviewers, as a broken promise for joint review by all agencies.

“This aggressive strategy appears designed to rush the new state administration to a quick approval and deprive the state and the public a chance to review the state issues in context with the interrelated federal issues.” Charles Vinick, president and CEO of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound said in a press statement.

According to the Alliance, “the federal Minerals Management Service (MMS) is expected to deliver a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in the spring, which will now occur after the state’s review of the Cape Wind project.”

The MEPA Office will take public comments on the FEIR through March 22. Look for information about the submittal process on the MEPA Web site, www.mass.gov/envir/mepa.

The FEIR is available at: www.capewind.org/FEIR.

barnstablepatriot.com


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/02/21/cape-wind-files-final-state-permitting-application/