Ao 29,2015, SOUTHERN RHODE ISLAHI Offshore wind energy sector slow to start By Jerier MeDerntt fom fossil fuel interests and Anocuted Pre te trials and tribulations of Sing somethin forthe fst PROVIDENCE — Whea the time temiadministrtioncleared While they've tempered ‘hn way fie soars ag for ths tholF expectations that aff nation’s first offshore wind shore wind energy will come farm to be built, advocates theUS. ina ig way anytine Ipeditwmsthesiartof any soon, many arehopins Deep- wavofaeneratingpower slong water Wind's wind farm will ‘he Bast Coast. -avethe way for other projects. "That project, Cape Wind's There ar 1 offshore wind such smaller ofshere wind Wind Energy Assoctatien, farm neat Bleck sand, Deepwator Wind js the far- Deepwater Wind's Rhode thesialong. isandpreectisanveruroins “The otshore wa maus- wade hae wouldhave the tey today is i ie infancy im ability to power 1,000 homes, the US, but once Deepwater ‘echapsabeariyasnext year. Wind's project gets but that Developers and Industry will bean important infec ‘experts sa te offshore wind ton oir.” said KitKenned 2 nergy sectoriscff to sich i renerate energy exper atthe ‘Slowsartinthe US. becauseet National Resources Defense rogulotory hurdles opposition Council. “Wo wil have x slid {framework in placefor leasing lanl sling offshore wind pro} fects and weregningtosethis Industry moveforwart nese” ‘The industry is tar more advanced in Europe. The expense of starting a new Industry, and Cape Wiad’: Aelays have stymied grow in the U5, said Professor James Menwell, director of ‘the Wind Energy Center at ‘the University of Mseachu. sets Amherst “Since Cape Wind seemed tobe lp of the spear, slow ‘ng Cape Wind sort of slowed everybody down,"he sald Cape Wind receivee ‘approval bulldthenation' ‘Bb offshore wind farm — 2 asoturpinepreect—five ears ‘ago Tuesday, after more dha, fight years of lawsuits and ‘government reviews. The som ‘any ins fceda series of legal hallengoe broushe by project Offshore eA ass Continued om AB dave iat sare beingbullenow Dresident or tho conservation ‘CHO Jeffrey Grybowski said group Oceana, said she still ‘thepermiting processandfind- sees tremendous potential for Ingthorightmicef mtzgctors the industy inthe US. ‘who could do the work in the "If we can start being play- US. took anger thanexpected, ers in thls fel, I think we can. ‘Thats thecompany started start to sal it in a really post ‘with. small, manaseable pro tive was she said. tet, he aed ‘Kennelly sald the indus- Deepwater Wind also plans try's future hinges onthe con- tobuildawindfarmof atleast struction ostscoming down as 200 turbines between Block developers become more expe- Islandand Martha's Vineyard, rienced, on states pursuing “The fundamentals of the renewable energy policies and business are really strong,” onDeepwater Windswoveeding. Grybowski said. “But it will ‘ppenents, largely funded by Ullnaire Businessman WU liam Koch. Two major utes lurmlnated thei contrcts ‘uy power rom the propos ‘wind farm in Jeary. (spe Wind has won most of the iawsultsandis waiting or rulings en efew tatarelet, (Cape Wind Presiden Gar ‘on said He sald he's dladto ‘see Deepwater Wind moving ‘roa anchopos ether prep ‘cts low sult “There wash? a prescribed savin whieh todo tis," Ga ‘Son said. "We inew ie ould take several years, but we rover expected it telake tas pa Deepwater Wind plans to start construction off Blok ‘sla dis suum ea ‘an boginogoratingin tho fll ‘ef 216. Theirs companents ‘OFFSHORE 15