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Wind Farm In Buzzards Bay May Violate State Law

cbs4boston.com|Joe Shortsleeve|May 24, 2006
MassachusettsGeneral

CBS4 has learned wind turbines are not allowed in Buzzards Bay because its considered a state sanctuary.


Buzzards Bay is a picturesque and ecologically sensitve 28 mile stretch of water south of the Cape Cod canal.

A Boston developer hopes to build 120 wind turbines at a cost 750 million dollars.

They would be located in three different spots in clusters of 30 to 40.

"We think, from a political perspective, it is the right thing for this country to be doing," said developer Jay Cashman.

However there is a problem.

CBS4 has learned wind turbines are not allowed in Buzzards Bay because its considered a state sanctuary.

The state office of environmental affairs determined last year that the ocean sanctuary act prohibits the construction of any electric generating facilities including wind turbine generators that would fall within the cape and …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]
Buzzards Bay is a picturesque and ecologically sensitve 28 mile stretch of water south of the Cape Cod canal.

A Boston developer hopes to build 120 wind turbines at a cost 750 million dollars.

They would be located in three different spots in clusters of 30 to 40.

"We think, from a political perspective, it is the right thing for this country to be doing," said developer Jay Cashman.

However there is a problem.

CBS4 has learned wind turbines are not allowed in Buzzards Bay because its considered a state sanctuary.

The state office of environmental affairs determined last year that the ocean sanctuary act prohibits the construction of any electric generating facilities including wind turbine generators that would fall within the cape and islands ocean sanctuary.

However, Cashman interprets the law differently.

"The Buzzards Bay sanctuary which is a different sanctuary, that actually specifically provides for the generation of electricity inside that bay."

While state officials admit there are exemptions for electricty, the state does not believe this exemtpion stretches so far as to allow the construction of an actual offshore electric generating faciltiy with in an ocean sanctuary.

It's clear the developer thinks the law can be changed or interpeted differently by a new adminstration but as it stands today wind mills are not allowed.

There is also legislation on Beacon Hill called the Oceans bill.

If approved, that law could make it easier to site a small wind farm in state waters.


 


Source:http://cbs4boston.com/topstor…

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