Rhode Island Chooses Deepwater Wind to Build Off-Shore Wind Farm

September 30, 2008 | 7 Comments

Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri announced last week that Deepwater Wind was chosen as the developer to construct a wind energy project off the shores of Rhode Island that could provide 1.3 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity per year, 15 percent of all electricity used in the state. It is expected that the project will cost more than US $1 billion to construct, with all the capital coming from private investment sources.

“Today marks a major step to bring wind power to Rhode Island and to reach our goal of at least 15 percent of all electricity in the state be renewable energy,” Governor Carcieri said. “Of the many forms of renewable energy alternatives available, wind is the proven leader. Wind power is clean, green power that is not subject to variations and increases in fuel price. Rhode Island is uniquely positioned to lead the nation with the development of this country’s first off shore wind farm."

The exact location of the wind project will be determined from the results of the Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) permitting process led by the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council in partnership with URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography.

The state and Deepwater Wind will now enter a 90-day period to negotiate a formal development agreement. The final agreement will include the total commitment to Rhode Island made by Deepwater Wind, including the establishment of a manufacturing headquarters in the state and the reimbursement of the cost of the SAMP to the state's Renewable Energy Fund.

In addition, the agreement will outline the preferred developer status for Deepwater Wind in the permitting process. Final approval of the project is contingent on multiple regulatory approvals from both the state and federal governments.

Deepwater Wind was established to develop utility-scale offshore wind projects in the northeastern part of the United States. The company’s major investors are First Wind, a major developer of on-shore wind projects in the United States, DE Shaw & Co., a capital investment firm with deep experience in the energy sector, and Ospraie Management, a leading asset management firm with a focus on alternative energy markets.

7 Comments

Dan Attanasio
October 1, 2008

Barbara,

You neglected to include the following quote from Attorney General Cuomo in the article you referenced in comment #1 above:

“The use of wind power, like all renewable energy sources, should be encouraged to help clean our air and end our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Attorney General Cuomo. “However, public integrity remains a top priority of my office and if dirty tricks are used to facilitate even clean-energy projects, my office will put a stop to it.”

Kudos to Attorney General Cuomo. He understands how important renewable energy (including wind) is to our future.

Also, your url reference above has an error (there's an extra "y") in it. The proper link is:
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/media_center/2008/jul/july15a_08.html

Rick Kolb
October 1, 2008

Mr. Steele: I was being facetious.

F. Berry
October 1, 2008

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With that in mind,...if any decision makers should be reading this and you're seeking internationally trained and traveled trilingual employees, you should email my wife.

Christine speaks, writes and reads English, French and Spanish. She has experience in speaking before crowds of over 200 and enjoys international contact and business.

Please pass this note along should you have the right contacts,...this is the only way to find good jobs today; 6-8 years of college, and a "little luck and timing" with the Internet.

Iberdrola are you listening?

English, Spanish and French; perfect for the venues across North Amercan and parts of Europe. "Have passport and International travel experience,...ready to interview".

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Geoff Steele
October 1, 2008

So....Mr. Kolb....when petroleum prices go to $500 a barrel; and we run low on already-expensive natural gas; and people cut down all the trees around Rhode Island to burn in order to cook and keep warm in the winter; and the enviromentalists stop ALL further nuclear plant development in the country; and there's scant enough methane gas from covered landfills to feed into local gasline networks; and the skies are cloudy all day in the winter up there in Rhode Island, what are YOU going to be using to keep your little tushy warm, hmmmmm???

Megan Higgins
October 1, 2008

In preparation for siting a wind farm, the RI Sea Grant Legal Program is taking part in the Ocean Special Area Management Plan (SAMP), led by the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council and URI, which will define use zones for Rhode Island’s offshore waters through a research and planning process that integrates the best available science with open public input and involvement.

The SAMP will be completed by June 2010, making Rhode Island the first state nationally to zone its offshore waters for diverse activities including renewable energy development. This process will also protect current uses and habitats through zones for commercial fishing; critical habitats for fish, marine animals, and birds; marine transport; and more.

The Legal Program will provide legal research and analysis of ocean zoning and other relevant issues to support the development of policies and regulations for the Ocean SAMP. To advance the state's efforts, the focus of the upcoming 7th Marine Law Symposium is on marine renewable energy projects (wind, wave, tidal and OTEC). The conference, scheduled for Oct. 23-24, 2008, will address the legal, policy and economic issues related to developing marine renewable energy projects.

For more information, please see: http://law.rwu.edu/sites/marineaffairs/symposia/seventhMLS.aspx
www.seagrant.gso.uri.edu/oceansamp

Megan E. Higgins
Research Counsel, Marine Affairs Institute
Rhode Island Sea Grant Legal Program
Roger Williams University School of Law
http://law.rwu.edu/sites/marineaffairs/

Rick Kolb
October 1, 2008

NO! NO! NO! These giant wind turbines harm the esthetics of nature and there must certainly be some type of marine life that will be harmed by the structures or noise produced, etc. In fact, I'm sure some whales will become disorientated by the sound and ground themselves. Also, no large solar installations in the desert as the natural desert ecosystem will be destroyed! For now, small hidden solar panels on residential rooftops are OK but certainly studies will soon show that various types of rare moss or lichen can be harmed so be prepared to remove these also!

Barbara Durkin
October 1, 2008

"...The company’s major investors are First Wind, a major developer of on-shore wind projects in the United States..."

"...the agreement will outline the preferred developer status for Deepwater Wind in the permitting process..."

http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2008/july/july15a_08.html

"ATTORNEY GENERAL CUOMO LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO WIND POWER COMPANIES' CONDUCT ACROSS UPSTATE NEW YORK"

"Allegations of Improper Dealings with Public Officials and Anti-Competitive Practices"

"Subpoenas Served on First Wind/UPC Wind and Noble Environmental Power, LLC"

"ALBANY, NY (July 15, 2008) - Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo announced today the launching of an investigation into two companies developing and operating wind farms across New York state amid allegations of improper dealings with public officials and anti-competitive practices.

Wind farms are clusters of large electricity-generating turbines powered by wind and connected to the electric grid.

Subpoenas were served on Newton, Massachusetts-based First Wind (formerly known as UPC Wind) and Essex, Connecticut-based Noble Environmental Power, LLC. They are part of an investigation into whether companies developing wind farms improperly sought or obtained land-use agreements with citizens and public officials; whether improper benefits were given to public officials to influence their actions, and whether they entered into anti-competitive agreements or practices.

In recent months, the Office of the Attorney General has received numerous complaints regarding the two companies from citizens, groups and public officials in eight counties alleging improper relations between the companies and local officials and other improper practices..."