R.I., Mass. agree on mutual site for offshore wind power
Rhode Island and Massachusetts announced a landmark agreement on Monday that will govern an area of ocean waters where both states want to develop offshore wind power.
The so-called area of mutual interest covers 400 square miles of federal waters in Rhode Island Sound located directly south of Sakonnet Point between Block Island to the west and Martha’s Vineyard to the northeast. Neither state has made a legal claim to the waters, but both are interested in taking advantage of the area’s offshore wind potential.
The agreement comes as developers in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts are attempting to build the first offshore wind farm in the nation. Neither the 130-turbine Cape Wind project in Massachusetts nor Deepwater Wind’s 8-turbine project in Rhode Island would be located in the waters covered by the pact.
Under the memorandum of understanding signed by Governor Carcieri and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick on Monday, the two states will coordinate planning of offshore wind projects using a Rhode Island ocean zoning plan as a guide to development. Read more…
