There is a growing debate about domestic offshore wind siting. Fortunately, we are beyond; to build or not to build. Now of course the question is where, or perhaps how?  As offshore wind technology advances there may be ways to minimize some of the aesthetic concerns that have been attributed to delaying U.S. offshore wind development.  Winds are typically much stronger and more sustained farther away from the shoreline; some offshore wind developers are looking to leverage this natural occurrence.

The Cape Wind project, often anticipated as the first U.S. offshore wind farm as they await final federal sign-off, plans to erect 130 turbines 5-13 miles from Cape Cod and Nantucket.  New Jersey and Delaware have recently received leases from the Department of Interior to explore the feasibility of large wind farms 12-18 miles from the coastline.  Deepwater Wind, a recipient of two of these federal leases also plans to build a two-phase farm in partnership with Rhode Island offshore with 8 turbines near Block Island and an additional 110 turbines 15-18 miles in federal waters to generate power for sale to the electrical grid. Bluewater Wind, also recipients of two of the federal exploratory leases, seek to build two large projects 14-18 miles off the coast of New Jersey and Delaware, using similar technology to Cape Wind. New York power companies are looking into developing a wind farm 13 miles off the Rockaways. Massachusetts has proposed a 120 turbine farm 48 miles off New Bedford.

New structural designs will be required for offshore wind farms built further away from the shore and the farther from the onshore electrical grid the more expensive to build. With only one deep-water project currently existing in the world 12 miles off the east coast of Scotland in roughly 150 feet, the increased costs and viability of these projects are still being determined.  Furthermore, we want to ensure that siting, irrespective of how far off the coast, is done in a manner that is sensitive to pre-existing environmental conditions and natural resources.

Everyday, the potential for this technology to produce significant amounts of clean renewable energy is becoming more tangible. Whether you ascribe to the notion that farther is better or closer is tried and true, I would submit that the objective is progress and we need the application of both technologies. We should continue to move forward as opposed to waiting on the "perfect" technology at the expense of not moving at all.  These technologies should not be perceived as being mutually exclusive from one another. As we learn from smaller projects that are sited more closely to the shoreline, we in a more cost effective manner, learn invaluable lessons about each new domestic generation of offshore wind technology while emphasizing careful planning and siting.

International Offshore Wind Happenings:

-December 2007, the world's first floating turbine was launched off the cost of southern Italy. This prototype wind energy unit was placed 11 ½ miles off the coast in deepwater, 371 feet by Blue H.

-Lynn and Inner Dowsing, as of May 2009, became the world's largest operational offshore wind farm.  Located off the coast of Lincolnshire, England it generates 194 MW using 54 wind turbines.  This project is able to power roughly 130,000 homes; built in 59 feet of water, roughly 3.2 miles from the shoreline.

-The initial world leader in offshore wind power generation was Horns Rev in Denmark.  Built in the North Sea, and capable of producing 160 MW.   It is anticipated that Horns Rev and Nysted offshore wind farms will increase their wind power to 50% by 2025. These offshore wind farms are owned by Vattenfall, who this year purchased Nuon to create one of the largest power companies in northern Europe and an energy company that plans to be climate neutral by 2050.

Recent Domestic Wind Developments:

-On June 23, 2009 Secretary Salazar announced the five exploratory leases for offshore wind development off New Jersey and Delaware coasts.

"This is tremendous news for New Jersey and I thank Secretary Salazar and the Obama Administration for issuing these leases which are so critical to getting the development of our offshore wind turbine projects underway," said Governor Jon S. Corzine. "New Jersey's Outer Continental Shelf is a resource that holds a great promise for our energy independence and should be considered a haven for the clean, renewable and environmentally friendly energy that wind power provides. This is a major step for the State in meeting its goal of 1000 megawatts by 2013 and 3000 megawatts by 2020."

"The development of clean energy will be a major part of our economic recovery and will help lay the foundation for long-term economic security for our families, our state and our nation," said U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ). "We should be proud that New Jersey has led the way in the effort to harness the tremendous potential that offshore wind in the Atlantic has to generate clean electricity. This lease is a step toward lowering energy costs for families, creating innovative 21st Century industry jobs and reducing our reliance on dirty energy."

-Click here to view Secretary Salazar's testimony before the Committee on Environment and Public Works before the U.S. Senate on July 7, 2009. Salazar describes the Department of Interior's efforts to develop the renewable energy industry in response to climate change.

"Companies are investing in wind farms off the Atlantic seacoast, solar facilities in the Southwest, and geothermal energy projects throughout the west.  These new energy sources produce no greenhouse gases and, once installed, they harness abundant, renewable energy that nature itself provides."