First US Offshore Wind Farm To Usher In New Era For Industry (ap.org)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Associated Press: The nation's first offshore wind farm is set to open off the coast of Rhode Island this fall, ushering in a new era in the U.S. for the industry. Developers, federal regulators and industry experts say the opening will move the U.S. industry from a theory to reality, paving the way for the construction of many more wind farms that will eventually provide power for many Americans. Deepwater Wind is building a five-turbine wind farm off Block Island, Rhode Island to power about 17,000 homes. The project costs about $300 million, according to the company. CEO Jeffrey Grybowski said the Block Island wind farm enables larger projects because it proves that wind farms can be built along the nation's coast. Offshore wind farms, which benefit from strong winds because of their location, are being proposed near population epicenters that lack the space to build on land. Indeed, several states are pushing ambitious clean energy goals, which include offshore wind. Among them is California, which has a target of generating 50 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2030. Vermont hopes to hit 55 percent by next year and Hawaii has called for 100 percent renewable power by 2045.

Comments

Re:Can anyone say wind turbine boondoggle?

[Karmashock]

What would you need to see to concede the investment is poor?

Here is what I'd need to see... Total private investment.

If it is ACTUALLY a good investment then the government wouldn't need to fund it. Private interests would be happy to invest with ZERO public money. At most you'd offer a tax break/cut on the investment... that is not a tax Credit... it is a break. Aka you offer to NOT collect taxes on the project.

That is MY condition for believing this is a good idea... convince investors to build this with their own money.

We can do that currently with coal, gas, hydroelectric, and depending on regulations we can do it with nuclear. I have yet to see any wind project get funded by people that actually expect it to make money... I mean... honestly.

So that is what I need. What would you need to see to concede you are wrong?

Warning... if you answer "nothing" you're in creationist territory.