Post by ferryfast admin on Aug 19, 2011 12:31:19 GMT -5
Salazar kicks off lease process for New England offshore wind farms
Wind Energy News
www.brighterenergy.org/26030/news/wind/salazar-kicks-off-lease-process-for-new-england-offshore-wind-farms/
BOEMRE is seeking to determine commercial interest in the identified area
US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Director Michael R. Bromwich announced yesterday the initial steps to develop commercial wind energy on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
A Call for Information and Nominations, which is available for review in today’s Federal Register, invites developers to identify locations within an offshore area in which they seek commercial leases for developing wind projects.
BOEMRE is also seeking public comment – through a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment – on important environmental issues and reasonable alternatives related to the proposed leasing, site characterization and assessment activities in the offshore area under consideration.
“Today’s announcement reflects the kind of efficient, forward-thinking planning we must do to quickly and responsibly stand up an American offshore wind industry,” Secretary Salazar said.
“By focusing on priority areas with high wind potential and fewer conflicts and conducting early, coordinated reviews, we can accelerate the leasing process and drive investment, development, and jobs to Rhode Island and Massachusetts.”
“This is a major step forward in our efforts to promote wind energy off the Atlantic Coast,” said BOEMRE Director Bromwich.
“We are seeking to determine commercial interest in the identified area and to collect information relevant to mitigating potential impacts to the environment that could result from these activities. This process will ensure that offshore wind projects are developed in the right way and in the right places.”
“Important”
Salazar made today’s announcement in North Kingstown, Rhode Island as part of his visit to the state with Senators Jack Reed, Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline to discuss federal renewable energy and outdoor recreation initiatives.
“Today is important not only because it demonstrates Rhode Island’s leadership in offshore wind development, but also because it reminds us of the tremendous economic development potential of the wind energy industry,” said Governor Lincoln Chafee.
“Secretary Salazar has been a leader in America’s pursuit of offshore wind, an abundant source of domestic, emissions-free renewable energy that has the potential to create thousands of jobs in Massachusetts and throughout the region,” said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.
“Smart from the Start”
Yesterday’s announcement is the latest step in the Obama Administration’s “Smart from the Start” offshore wind initiative to facilitate efficient and environmentally responsible renewable energy development offshore by improving coordination with state, local and federal partners, identifying and refining priority areas for potential development and conducting early environmental reviews.
Four wind energy areas offshore Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia were identified in February this year, and BOEMRE expects to begin the commercial leasing process in those states as early as 2012.
Potential wind energy areas will also be identified soon in additional states, such as Massachusetts and North Carolina, and those areas will be subject to similar environmental assessments as the area identified today.
This year, Salazar also approved the Cape Wind project, the first commercial wind turbine farm on the Outer Continental Shelf.
The designated location under consideration in today’s announcement – the Call area – is within an Area of Mutual Interest (AMI) identified by the state of Rhode Island and Massachusetts in a landmark agreement in July 2010.
Call area
The Call area was subsequently identified through consultation with BOEMRE’s Rhode Island and Massachusetts Renewable Energy Task Forces, which include federal, state, and tribal government partners, and using information gathered by the State of Rhode Island in its Special Area Management Plan for the AMI.
Both BOEMRE and state officials gathered stakeholder input before finalizing the Call area.
The public is encouraged to provide information about site conditions, resources and multiple uses in the Call area that can assist BOEMRE in reducing or eliminating obvious conflicts, including potentially refining the Wind Energy Area ultimately identified for proposed future commercial leasing.
Before any leases are issued, BOEMRE will complete an Environmental Assessment (EA) to determine impacts associated with issuing leases in the potential Wind Energy Area. Proposed offshore wind projects will receive comprehensive, site-specific analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act.
BOEMRE will consult with other federal agencies, tribal governments, and affected states during the EA process and before a final decision is made on leases or site assessment activities.
___________________
DOE finalizes $102m loan for Maine wind project
www.brighterenergy.org/25959/news/wind/doe-finalizes-102m-loan-for-maine-wind-project/
August 16, 2011
The wind farm will use Turbine Load Control to generate power in turbulent conditions
The US Department of Energy has finalized a $102 million loan guarantee to support a wind project in central Maine.
The loan guarantee will support the Record Hill wind project, a 50.6 megawatt wind power plant with an eight mile transmission line and associated interconnection equipment near the town of Roxbury, Maine.
The project is also being supported by an investment by the Yale University Endowment.
Developed and managed by New Hampshire-based Wagner Wind Energy I and Maine-based Independence Wind LLC, the wind farm in Oxford County will provide sustainable power to the state while funding 200 construction jobs.
“This innovative project creates jobs in Maine while boosting domestic wind generation in order to achieve the Administration’s goal of doubling clean energy produced in America by 2035,” said US Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
“Clean energy is a major driver of American competitiveness, and investments like these are essential to secure our position as global leader.”
Project
The Record Hill wind project will consist of 22 Siemens 93 2.3 MW turbines and new transmission lines to interconnect with Central Maine Power, the local utility.
The turbines will be installed with innovative Turbine Load Control (TLC) technology, a system of sensors and processing software that allows the turbines to continue to generate electricity under turbulent conditions, rather than be shut down completely.
TLC is also expected to reduce wear-and-tear on the turbines, reduce operation and management costs, and preserve the lifetime of the turbine components.
Wind Energy News
www.brighterenergy.org/26030/news/wind/salazar-kicks-off-lease-process-for-new-england-offshore-wind-farms/
BOEMRE is seeking to determine commercial interest in the identified area
US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Director Michael R. Bromwich announced yesterday the initial steps to develop commercial wind energy on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
A Call for Information and Nominations, which is available for review in today’s Federal Register, invites developers to identify locations within an offshore area in which they seek commercial leases for developing wind projects.
BOEMRE is also seeking public comment – through a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment – on important environmental issues and reasonable alternatives related to the proposed leasing, site characterization and assessment activities in the offshore area under consideration.
“Today’s announcement reflects the kind of efficient, forward-thinking planning we must do to quickly and responsibly stand up an American offshore wind industry,” Secretary Salazar said.
“By focusing on priority areas with high wind potential and fewer conflicts and conducting early, coordinated reviews, we can accelerate the leasing process and drive investment, development, and jobs to Rhode Island and Massachusetts.”
“This is a major step forward in our efforts to promote wind energy off the Atlantic Coast,” said BOEMRE Director Bromwich.
“We are seeking to determine commercial interest in the identified area and to collect information relevant to mitigating potential impacts to the environment that could result from these activities. This process will ensure that offshore wind projects are developed in the right way and in the right places.”
“Important”
Salazar made today’s announcement in North Kingstown, Rhode Island as part of his visit to the state with Senators Jack Reed, Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline to discuss federal renewable energy and outdoor recreation initiatives.
“Today is important not only because it demonstrates Rhode Island’s leadership in offshore wind development, but also because it reminds us of the tremendous economic development potential of the wind energy industry,” said Governor Lincoln Chafee.
“Secretary Salazar has been a leader in America’s pursuit of offshore wind, an abundant source of domestic, emissions-free renewable energy that has the potential to create thousands of jobs in Massachusetts and throughout the region,” said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.
“Smart from the Start”
Yesterday’s announcement is the latest step in the Obama Administration’s “Smart from the Start” offshore wind initiative to facilitate efficient and environmentally responsible renewable energy development offshore by improving coordination with state, local and federal partners, identifying and refining priority areas for potential development and conducting early environmental reviews.
Four wind energy areas offshore Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia were identified in February this year, and BOEMRE expects to begin the commercial leasing process in those states as early as 2012.
Potential wind energy areas will also be identified soon in additional states, such as Massachusetts and North Carolina, and those areas will be subject to similar environmental assessments as the area identified today.
This year, Salazar also approved the Cape Wind project, the first commercial wind turbine farm on the Outer Continental Shelf.
The designated location under consideration in today’s announcement – the Call area – is within an Area of Mutual Interest (AMI) identified by the state of Rhode Island and Massachusetts in a landmark agreement in July 2010.
Call area
The Call area was subsequently identified through consultation with BOEMRE’s Rhode Island and Massachusetts Renewable Energy Task Forces, which include federal, state, and tribal government partners, and using information gathered by the State of Rhode Island in its Special Area Management Plan for the AMI.
Both BOEMRE and state officials gathered stakeholder input before finalizing the Call area.
The public is encouraged to provide information about site conditions, resources and multiple uses in the Call area that can assist BOEMRE in reducing or eliminating obvious conflicts, including potentially refining the Wind Energy Area ultimately identified for proposed future commercial leasing.
Before any leases are issued, BOEMRE will complete an Environmental Assessment (EA) to determine impacts associated with issuing leases in the potential Wind Energy Area. Proposed offshore wind projects will receive comprehensive, site-specific analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act.
BOEMRE will consult with other federal agencies, tribal governments, and affected states during the EA process and before a final decision is made on leases or site assessment activities.
___________________
DOE finalizes $102m loan for Maine wind project
www.brighterenergy.org/25959/news/wind/doe-finalizes-102m-loan-for-maine-wind-project/
August 16, 2011
The wind farm will use Turbine Load Control to generate power in turbulent conditions
The US Department of Energy has finalized a $102 million loan guarantee to support a wind project in central Maine.
The loan guarantee will support the Record Hill wind project, a 50.6 megawatt wind power plant with an eight mile transmission line and associated interconnection equipment near the town of Roxbury, Maine.
The project is also being supported by an investment by the Yale University Endowment.
Developed and managed by New Hampshire-based Wagner Wind Energy I and Maine-based Independence Wind LLC, the wind farm in Oxford County will provide sustainable power to the state while funding 200 construction jobs.
“This innovative project creates jobs in Maine while boosting domestic wind generation in order to achieve the Administration’s goal of doubling clean energy produced in America by 2035,” said US Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
“Clean energy is a major driver of American competitiveness, and investments like these are essential to secure our position as global leader.”
Project
The Record Hill wind project will consist of 22 Siemens 93 2.3 MW turbines and new transmission lines to interconnect with Central Maine Power, the local utility.
The turbines will be installed with innovative Turbine Load Control (TLC) technology, a system of sensors and processing software that allows the turbines to continue to generate electricity under turbulent conditions, rather than be shut down completely.
TLC is also expected to reduce wear-and-tear on the turbines, reduce operation and management costs, and preserve the lifetime of the turbine components.