Today legally marks the first possible day the U.S. Interior Department can issue a record of decision granting federal regulatory approval for the Cape Wind project. The 30-day window expired this past Sunday following last month’s favorable approval of the Final Environmental Impact Statement by the Minerals Management Service.

Although some have pointed to the political tension Obama faces concerning the Cape Wind project—considering his close ties to both Sen. Ted Kennedy whose fierce opposition of the project has been widely publicized and Gov. Deval Patrick who is a close friend, political ally and strong supporter of the project—statements made by the U.S. Department of the Interior suggest absolutely no hesitation in advancing renewable energy interests. Federal approval seems likely to be forthcoming considering last week’s press conference at which Interior Department’s Secretary Ken Salazar announced that renewable energy offers “huge potential” along the nation’s Atlantic Coast. Also, Salazar stated that the Obama Administration seeks to put renewable energy on the fast track. He said that tapping wind, waves and ocean currents offer a “tremendous opportunity” to help meet the energy needs of the United States. Within the next 45 days the U.S. Geographical Survey has to draft a fresh report on all the potential offshore energy resources, both oil and renewable energy.

Following Salazar’s proclaimed support of renewable energy came yet another setback. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a report Friday that found the Cape Wind project to pose a “presumed hazard” for airplanes because of interference with air traffic control radar systems. “Initial findings of this study indicate that the structure as described exceeds obstruction standards and/or would have an adverse physical or electromagnetic interference effect,” the report stated. The agency suggested an upgrade to the radar facility at Otis Air Force Base that would cost $1.7 million. Spokesman for Cape Wind Associates, Mark Rodgers, believes they can “arrive at a win-win solution that is satisfactory to them and will allow the project to proceed.” Rodgers told The Boston Globe that he is confident that all the necessary permits will be acquired by the end of spring, including the FAA approval.

Although the U.S. Department of Defense determined in 2007 that the proposed Cape Wind turbines would not affect the air force early warning missile defense system at Otis Air Force Base, there remained radar interference concerns due to the bare minimum security qualifications met. The nearest turbines would be 1.2 miles from the outer limit of the offset zone, which is 15.5 miles out from the transmitter at Otis Air Force Base. Also, the lowest portion of the electromagnetic radar beam of the radar signal is 449 feet off the ground, which is just nine feet above the wind turbines.

In moving forward, the Cape Wind project must tackle two radar-related issues: firstly, it must gain approval by the FAA by ensuring the wind turbines are under the radar and would not cause any interference disturbances; secondly, it is crucial that the project stay above the radar in a political sense, perhaps making 2009 the year that that project gains official approval from all federal, state and local agencies and begins construction.

Eddie Keenan IV

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