The federal government is expected to release regulations for offshore alternative energy projects this afternoon that clear the way for the first offshore wind turbines to be erected along the Atlantic Coast.

President Obama is expected to outline the regulations today in his Earth Day appearance at an Iowa wind turbine factory. The rules will set long-awaited guidelines for offshore leases covering the construction, operation and decommissioning of renewable energy projects on the Outer Continental Shelf, all of which will apply to the Cape Wind project. Until now Cape Wind has largely proceeded on a permitting track parallel to but separate from the creation of the new rules.

The guidelines serve as a bold indicator of the Obama administration’s mission to actively develop alternative energy sources in order to curb our nation’s reliance on oil and gas.  Stay tuned as we await the speech!

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