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*November 23, 2010*
Ken Salazar: Offshore Wind Power Permits Will Be Expedited To Spur
Atlantic Coast Projects<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/23/ken-salazar-offshore-wind_n_787649.html>

*MATTHEW DALY*<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/23/ken-salazar-offshore-wind_n_787649.html?view=print#>|
11/23/10 04:22 PM | [image:
AP]
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*Read More:* Atlantic Wind
Energy<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/atlantic-wind-energy>,
Atlantic Wind Power <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/atlantic-wind-power>,
Green Energy <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/green-energy>, Ken
Salazar<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/ken-salazar>,
Ken Salazar Offshore
Wind<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/ken-salazar-offshore-wind>,
Ken Salazar Wind
Power<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/ken-salazar-wind-power>,
Offshore Wind <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/offshore-wind>, Wind
Energy<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/wind-energy>,
Wind Energy Permits <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/wind-energy-permits>,
Wind Power <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/wind-power>, Wind Power
Permits <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/wind-power-permits>, Green
News<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/green>

WASHINGTON — Interior Secretary Ken Salazar vowed Tuesday to spur offshore
wind projects in the Atlantic Ocean by expediting permits and identifying
promising areas for wind power.

At a speech in Baltimore, Salazar said he will institute a "smart permitting
process" that could result in leases issued within two years, instead of
seven years or more.

Salazar and developers of the nation's first offshore wind farm signed a
lease last month launching the 130-turbine Cape Wind project off the
Massachusetts coast, following an eight-year federal review.

"The Cape Wind lease is an historic milestone in America's renewable energy
future, but to fully harness the economic and energy benefits of our
nation's vast Atlantic wind potential we need to implement a smart
permitting process that is efficient, thorough and unburdened by needless
red tape," Salazar said.

The Cape Wind project faced intense opposition from two Indian tribes and
some environmentalists and residents, including the late Sen. Edward M.
Kennedy, who warned that the windmills could mar the ocean view. They would
be visible from the Kennedy compound at Hyannis Port.

Salazar said the project's developers can protect local culture and beauty
while expanding the nation's supply of renewable energy.

Salazar said he and other federal officials will work with governors in 11
Atlantic Coast states to identify promising areas for wind development. If
no serious problems are identified, leases could be issued late next year or
in early 2012.

Salazar said he hopes to pursue offshore wind power along the Atlantic Coast
in the same way officials are pushing solar power in the Southwest.

"If we are wise with our planning, we can help build a robust and
environmentally responsible offshore renewable energy program that creates
jobs here at home," he said.

Conservation groups and a group representing the wind industry hailed
Salazar's announcement.

"Ocean wind power is the good witch to the bad witch of ocean oil drilling,"
said Andrew Sharpless, CEO of Oceana. "People need jobs and energy. Ocean
wind power, unlike ocean oil drilling, is a great way to do both."

Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association, said streamlining
the multistep permitting process for offshore wind projects was essential.

"As the pipeline of projects begin to move forward more rapidly, the
environmental and economic benefits of offshore wind, including
manufacturing facilities and associated jobs, can be realized," she said.

Under the initiative, the Interior Department will work with state officials
over the next two months to identify possible sites for wind projects in six
states: Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, Rhode Island and
Massachusetts. A preliminary list is expected in January.

Additional sites will be identified next year in five more states: New York,
Maine, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Md., said his state was solidifying its position as
a national leader in creating clean energy jobs that will reduce the
nation's dependence on foreign oil and protect the environment.

Wind energy projects "will bring thousands of jobs to our region that cannot
be outsourced," Cardin said.
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