Following President Obama’s announcement of a finalized framework for renewable energy production on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), responses were jubilant in looking toward the future.

President Obama noted in his speech at a wind turbine factory in Iowa, “It is estimated that if we fully pursue our potential for wind energy—both on land and offshore—wind can generate as much as 20% of our electricity by 2030.”

Strangely, he mentions offshore wind projects in New Jersey and Delaware, but didn’t mention Cape Wind.  Maybe he forgot?

In an MMS press release Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said, “It is fitting that on Earth Day President Obama is taking this bold step toward opening America’s oceans and new energy frontier, so that we can wisely build a clean energy economy that will create millions of new jobs across the country.” Salazar added, “This new framework will enhance our energy security and create the foundation for a new offshore energy sector that will employ Americans developing clean and renewable energy.”

In response, a statement was issued by Civil Society Institute and Clean Power Now which read, “Now, it’s time for the Obama Administration to take the next step and issue a Record of Decision on Cape Wind as soon as possible so we can begin to move aggressively to exploit the abundant offshore wind energy potential with a shovel ready project.”

But opponents say not so fast. According to Peter Kenney, the silver bullet is that the Cape Wind permitting process is no longer grandfathered.  He said, “Now MMS can revisit all of the problems that weren’t resolved in the Federal Environmental Impact Statement.  It is clear that they have tightened up their review standards.”

Talking with the press, Salazar was careful to note that the new guidelines will definitely be applied to the Cape Wind project, so we’ll have to wait to see how that affects Cape Wind’s federal permitting process.  Obviously, there’s still plenty left to figure out at MMS.

Share This