| Could the answer to high energy bills be blowin’ in | | | | Advocates agree that the initial price tag can be high, |
| the wind? According to some, a strong breeze across | | | | but say the long term savings more than make up for |
| the ocean can also mean inexpensive, clean and | | | | the start-up costs. They add that wind farms are built |
| renewable energy for hundreds of thousands of | | | | so far offshore that noise and visual concerns are |
| homes with few drawbacks. | | | | minimal. |
| Humans all over the world have been using wind | | | | Still, planned offshore wind farms along the East Coast |
| power for thousands of years through windmills and | | | | have incited much opposition. A project in Nantucket |
| wind farms. But harnessing the power of wind across | | | | Sound has been delayed for years by those who |
| the ocean could be the wave of the future. Why? | | | | worry about the possible influence on marine life, |
| Advocates say that in the densely populated coastal | | | | tourism and property values. |
| regions, where demand for energy is high and land | | | | But some projects are moving forward. Early last |
| availability is low, offshore projects are necessary. The | | | | month the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities |
| fact that offshore wind is typically steadier with higher | | | | announced approval to construct 96 wind turbines |
| speeds also adds to its appeal. | | | | located 16-20 miles off the shore of Atlantic City. |
| Globally, offshore wind power generation increased | | | | A proposed offshore wind park in Delaware will |
| more than fivefold between 2000 and 2007. In fact, | | | | provide Delmarva Power’s residential and small |
| five countries – Denmark, Sweden, the United | | | | business customers with approximately 29-percent of |
| Kingdom, the Netherlands and Ireland have already | | | | the energy they use. |
| installed offshore wind parks to provide electricity. | | | | But a proposal to build an offshore wind park 12 miles |
| Germany is close behind with more than 20 projects | | | | off the coast of Ocean City hasn’t gotten passes |
| about to begin. | | | | the discussion stage, and although Maryland officials |
| The benefits of offshore wind seem obvious – it is | | | | have shown some interest, there are no plans to |
| a renewable resource that can be widely distributed. | | | | move forward on the issue. |
| It’s also an inexpensive and clean form of energy | | | | With the Worcester County Comprehensive plan |
| that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions when it | | | | calling for the use of green energy sources and with |
| displaces fossil-fuel-derived electricity. Despite this, as | | | | high fuel and electricity costs and an environment in |
| of today, no offshore wind projects have been built in | | | | peril, offshore wind may hold the answers to a better |
| the United States. | | | | energy plan. More progress must be made to bring it |
| Opponents site the high initial construction costs while | | | | to the forefront, however. |
| others complain that wind farms are noisy eyesores. | | | | |