Block Island Wind Farm expected to be fully operational by fall 2016
Alex Brown
http://www.ecori.org/renewable-energy/2015/4/29/block-island-wind-farm-set-to-start-spinning-next-year
http://www.crmc.ri.gov/samp_ocean.htmlGrover Fugate, director of the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), has said the planning process was aided by a master plan called the Ocean Special Area Management Plan (Ocean SAMP) that mapped out offshore renewable-energy zones, preferred wind turbine design and the path for gaining approval. The Ocean SAMP removed barriers and made partners where there could have been opponents, Fugate recently said. Having a state-approved master guide, Fugate said, cut down on lawsuits and legal challenges that plagued the Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound. ... Cape Wind proposed 130 turbines in state and federal waters. Block Island Wind Farm will have only five turbines in state waters. Cape Wind sought approval from 17 state and federal agencies. The Block Island project required approvals from 11. Cape Wind set off local protests and was targeted by a billionaire Koch brother, political groups and politicians, including the late Sen. Edward Kennedy. Thanks in large part to the Ocean SAMP, Deepwater Wind had most of its legal challenges addressed through the CRMC. Deepwater Wind formed alliances with several organizations, including environmental groups, unions, fishermen and state agencies.