NAT’L GUARD WANTS WIND ENERGY

Guard proposes Cape wind farm; Project could be the state's largest
Vivian Nereim. June 12, 2009 (Boston Globe)

"The Massachusetts National Guard… has proposed building a wind farm on the Massachusetts Military Reservation that would become the state's largest source of wind energy…As the first of many steps toward building up to 17 wind turbines on the 22,000-acre facility on Cape Cod, the Guard filed a site plan for review with the Federal Aviation Administration and Air Force Space Command.

"The project could produce up to 34 megawatts, aiding Governor Deval Patrick's efforts to develop 2,000 megawatts of wind power in Massachusetts by 2020. There are 11 wind turbines across the state, with a total capacity of 6.8 megawatts…[T]he ambitious plan for the reservation could potentially provide power for the entire facility."

Is this the new National Guard salute? (click to enlarge)

"The proposal has received support from numerous elected officials, including Patrick, State Senate President Therese Murray, and US Representative William D. Delahunt, a Quincy Democrat…The plan has also had the support of community activists who protested the Cape Wind Project, a controversial proposal to build 130 wind turbines off Cape Cod in Nantucket Sound…

"Before the National Guard's plan goes forward, the Federal Aviation Administration will review it to determine if it poses a hazard to aviation. Wind turbines can interfere with radar signals, a complication Cape Wind has come up against…"

Massachusetts has got to get over its problem with offshore wind! (click to enlarge)

"The initial ruling for any project that requires an airspace study…But if a project is found to be a hazard, the FAA provides a list of ways to mitigate the problem. Suggestions could include reducing the height of the turbines, shifting their location, or equipping Otis Air National Guard Base with a new radar system.

"There have been no other specific proposals to build wind turbines on state land yet…[but the state is discussing plans]…"