Feds OK First Offshore Wind Leases

The Federal government just awarded nine leases to three companies interested in developing wind power from America's North Atlantic coast. Deepwater Wind LLC, Bluewater Wind LLS, and Fisherman's Energy of New Jersey LLC will use these leases to build meteorological towers six or more miles from the Jersey Shore in order to asses the area for the viability of offshore wind farms. Because of the successful offshore wind farms in Britain and Denmark, these companies believe that the Northeast American cost might be ideal for their $1.5 billion wind farms.

What will the New England Offshore Wind farms Look Like

The proposed wind farms consist of about 100 turbines each, collectively producing about 250 megawatts, which could power as many as 120,000 homes. At full tilt, these wind farms could power homes of a small city like Lansing, Michigan or Elizabeth, New Jersey. Those concerned with the pristine ocean views from the Jersey Shore need not be concerned: the wind farms will be built 16 miles or more from shore, allowing only the tops of the turbines to be visible beyond the horizon line.

"Wind energy off the Atlantic coast is a very significant resource," said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. "The technology is proven, effective and available, and can create new jobs for Americans while reducing our expensive and dangerous dependence on foreign oil."

As New Jersey has set a 30% renewable portfolio standard for 2020, two times the federal level proposed in ACES, the Garden State will need to explore every option available. According to officials, the entire New Jersey shoreline is though to have enough peak wind energy to power 1.5 million homes.