LOCE Wind and Wave Energy Weblog

The web's first ocean and offshore wind energy weblog. Continuously renewed, like the ocean itself.

Friday, November 12, 2004

Cape Wind DEIS Has Issued!


The Corps of Engineers 4000 page Draft Environmental Impact Statement (click previous link to view) is now available to the public as reported in this article
Report boosts wind farm fortunes
, Doreen Leggett, TownOnline, (11/11/04). At least one public hearing will follow as well as a public comment period before a final EIS is issued, possibly as early as the spring. The DEIS concludes that the project will have several positive impacts including less pollution and more jobs, and few, if any, adverse impacts to birds, fishing, tourism and property values. The report, does also note aestheric impacts - the turbines are visible by day and at night are illuminated by flashing lights.

The opinions of project opponents remain unaltered by the Corps' EIS. They claim that the Corps report relies too heavily on data generated by consultants hired by Cape Wind and continue to criticize the project for evading more programmatic review and bypassing payment for use of Outer Contintental Shelf lands.

From my own perspective, it seems that with the thumbs up from the Corps in the DEIS, it's going to be difficult for the project opponents to halt the project in the absence of legislative action (and that's going to prove difficult at this late point, now that the Corps has issued the DEIS). At some point, some of the opponents may decide that it might be preferable to negotiate mitigation measures instead of opposing the project outright. Time is running out for more more meaningful opposition.

Australia Relies on Foreign Investment for Wave Power


As reported in this report from The World Today , Karen Barlow, Tuesday, 9 November, 2004, Australia's first wave energy plant has arrived. But ironically, the investment for the plant has come largely from overseas.
Energetech, the developer of the wave plant describes the typical response to wave energy as "Great idea, but we don't want to take the risk." Fortunately, some investors have been willing to take the risk - and the next few months of operation should begin to bear out whether those risks are worthwhile.

Sunday, November 07, 2004

Renewables Funding For Tribal Lands - Help For Offshore?


DOE's Tribal Energy Program may fund as many as 17 renewable projects as reported here in Renewable Energy Project Funds for Tribal Lands ,
Renewable Energy Access, (10/5/04). Grant funds are expect to reach $3.5 million in 2005 with Congressional approval of the DOE's budget. According to the article:


Two types of grants are available for 2005. One will help fund strategic planning, energy options analysis or resource planning, energy organization development, and human capacity building related to sustainable energy efficiency implementation or renewable energy development. Applications for this grant are due by January 20, 2005, and the program office expects $1 million in funding. Tribes do not have to generate matching funds for this grant.



The second grant will support either feasibility studies for the development of economically sustainable renewable energy installations or sustainable renewable energy development projects. Applications for this grant are due by February 4, 2005, and the program office expects $2.5 million in funding. Tribes applying for this grant must be prepared to generate matching funds.


Most renewables, including wave, ocean or offshore wind would qualify for the program. For additional information, visit this link .