It seems politics has been an overriding factor when it comes to safety concerns with Cape Wind.
Following the October 2011 of the US Court of Appeals ruling that the FAA had failed to fully consider the air travel hazard potential of the Cape Cod Wind Farm project there were Freedom of Information filings that have confirmed the courts findings.
The documents released have confirmed that local aviation communities concerns over the 440 foot towers were completely ignored in light of political pressure making it impossible for the FAA to refuse a permit for Cape Wind.
Back room deals for Cape Wind are an ongoing theme residents of Massachusetts have been forced to deal with. A 2011 a no bid back room agreement forced on the local power grid companies compels them to buy Cape Wind power at more than 50 percent over market prices with locked in price increases for the next 20 years.
Regional electricity prices are expected to rise 25 percent the first year Cape wind goes on line. Adding several hundreds of dollars to the annual electricity bills of Massachusetts poor. The locked in price increases will see a more than doubling of electrity rates over the life time of Cape wind.
Renewable power that increases poverty is no solution.
Now it seems it is not safe either because of back room deals.
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20220703brown_calls_for_fed_probe_of_cape_wind_calls_for_fed_probe/
http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/06/22/faa-facing-investigation-over-cape-wind-approval/
Project area of the Choke Cherry, Sierra Madre wind farm
A headwind of renewable power is approaching. The U.S. Interior Department has completed an environmental review for a massive wind farm that has the potential to power up to 1 million homes and cleared the way for more offshore development.
Yesterday, the government announced that environmental reviews had been completed for Wyoming’s Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Farm, which could become the U.S’s largest project with up to 1,000 turbines.
“When it comes to wind energy, we’re making significant progress both onshore and offshore to diversify our nation’s domestic energy portfolio and stand up a clean energy economy,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said.
The farms would produce 3,000-megawatts and be managed by Power Company of Wyoming, and will be built at an estimated cost of US$4B-$6B. Half of the turbines will be located on public lands. The utility has forecast a regional economic benefit.
Assessments were also completed for the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The ability to develop on the OCS, combined with cheaper turbines, could lead to a boom for the wind industry.
“Today, as we take the next steps toward realizing what could be the largest wind energy project in the world and holding a competitive offshore wind lease sale, we are really at the forefront of a renewable energy revolution,” Salazar added.
(image credit: USDA Farm Service Agency)
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