Ocean Energy in Barbados

Barbados has a large renewables potential, including from marine sources like OTEC, according to this article, ISLAND HAS MUCH UNTAPPED POTENTIAL , Terence Murrell (October 11, 2004). Among other renewables like solar or biomass, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a possibility on Barbados. The article reports that "Barbados has a wonderful oceanic shelf with thousands of feet of depth that can be taken advantage of to generate electricity."

Kerry Vigorously Supports Renewables But Still No Stand on Cape Wind

Here's another article on Democrat candidate John Kerry's postion - or lack thereof on Cape Wind. The piece Jack Coleman: Let's have that report -- Wind-farm foes' silent benefactor , Providence Journal (10/10/04) characterizes Kerry's position in this way:

Alone among the most powerful Massachusetts politicans, Kerry does not oppose Cape Wind Associates' ambitious and controversial plan to place 130 wind turbines in the heart of Nantucket Sound -- a project that would generate nearly 75 percent of the electricity used on the Cape and Islands, while producing no pollution or greenhouse gases. But this is not to say that Kerry supports the project. Rather, he has steadfastly maintained that he is awaiting release of the environmental-impact report before announcing whether he supports Cape Wind's proposal.

That report, or, more specifically, a draft environmental-impact report from the Army Corps of Engineers, was due out in early September -- roughly coinciding with the start of the two-month period before Election Day when voters pay close attention to politics. But the report has still not been released. I wonder why . . .

Potential Roadblock to Cape Wind Cleared

According to this article, Tough language dropped in Cape wind farm plan , Beth Daley, Globe Staff | (October 8, 2004) a Defense Authorization Act amendment that would have indefinitely delayed the Cape Wind Project has been dropped by Senator Warner. As the article states:

The amendment would have prohibited the 130-turbine Cape Wind project and all other offshore wind projects from moving forward until Congress worked out a suite of issues, including compensation for public lands and competitive bidding.

Warner's office said late last night it was unclear if the provision would remain in the bill. However, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who supported Warner's attempt, said it was clear that cohesive rules needed to be adopted for energy proposals on the ocean, especially with a recent US Commission on Ocean policy report that highlighted the issue.

"While Senator Warner's proposal was not adopted, it's clear that momentum is building to address the US Commission on Ocean Policy's recommendations," Kennedy said.