Rhode Island Winds Report Finds 10 Possible Areas for Wind Farms
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 09.25.07
Because we offset our electricity each month through our local electric company, we receive quarterly newsletters that incorporate the latest in alternative energy around Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts. In the most recent one, results were printed from the Rhode Island Winds report, commissioned by the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources. The report noted that after taking a close look and the wind speeds at various heights, water depth, shipping lands, eelgrass beds and other constraints, there are 10 possible areas in Rhode Island for state-sponsored offshore wind farms. And a wind farm at any of these sites could produce enough wind to meet Governor Donald Carcieri’s goal of producing enough electricity to meet 15% of the state’s demand. Many environmental and business leaders around the state support the concept, according to the newsletter, and the Commissioner of Energy Resources for Rhode Island announced that he would be releasing the report in addition to setting up a stakeholder process to help choose the most suitable site. Via ::New England GreenStart
The underwater structure of offshore windmills will eventually create a fish attracting reef. Why not jumpstart the process by seeding the area with oysters, mussels, encrusting sponges or any other locally appropriate filter feeders to rapidly offset the damage from initial construction. There are already many organizations dedicated to such endeavors and enlisting their support might simplify the permitting process.
There's one big problem, the windmills might be visible from rich peoples homes. If the Kennedy family can see one through a telescope then all bets are off.
Right. My in-laws have a house on that little island just above the red area. There's no way this would get approved if Block Island were the sole voter. But if this were a state-sponsored effort, it might just pass. I think it'd be great, but my in-laws would think otherwise, I imagine.... even though they probably wouldn't even see it from their house. But there is 3-acre zoning on the island and the average lot price is probably $2 million. There are around 800 full-year residents, but the population swells to 20,000 during the summer. All of the power is currently created by running a diesel generator. It'd be really nice to have some clean wind farms around there..... There are already a couple of tubines at people's houses, and there are solar panels here and there. And the proceeds of all house sales (2%) goes into the Block Island Conservation Land Trust. So, they do have a correct frame of mind, but those expensive houses just creates too many people worried about the "value" of their houses......