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April 4, 2011

Fishermen wary of wind farm plans

The Associated Press

The future of the wind industry off Massachusetts may take shape inside an area of ocean about 14 miles south of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

The 2,900-square-mile polygon has strong winds and is close to densely populated coastal areas with high power demands. It also contains rich scallop grounds and important flounder spawning areas.

The federal government is now asking offshore wind developers if they're interested in building wind farms in this designated zone, and some fishermen are working to ensure they aren't pushed out of it.

It's impossible to fish among towering turbines, said Marshfield fisherman Ed Barrett.

Barrett also questioned the fairness of letting a new industry into the area, where major sections have long been closed to protect the habitat from certain types of fishing.

"You've closed me out of that area for 25 years, and now you're going to turn it into an industrial power plant?" he said.

Former scalloper Jim Kendall, head of New Bedford Seafood Consulting, said the government dropped the proposal on fishermen from out of the blue.

But state and federal officials said fishermen will have numerous chances to speak out before any turbines go up.

Rick Sullivan, Massachusetts' secretary of energy and environmental affairs, said he's certain the region can tap into a rich offshore wind resource without harming fishermen.

"I believe that offshore wind and the fishing industry can survive very well together, if we are working closely, communicating closely, and siting our offshore wind smartly," he said.

Massachusetts is already home to the nation's first federally approved offshore wind farm, Cape Wind, which developers aim to begin operating by 2013. But the permitting process took 10 years and federal officials say greater efficiency is crucial to catch up to rivals such as Europe and China.

In December, the Interior Department's ocean energy bureau issued a "Request For Interest" in the designated area off Massachusetts, which was selected by a task force of governmental and tribal representatives.

The public comment period for the Massachusetts request for interest ends April 18.

 

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