USA: Cape Wind Comments FAA Approval

After years of careful aeronautical review of Cape Wind, the project received FAA approval in the form of this ‘Determination of No Hazard’.

This is the fourth ‘Determination of No Hazard’ Cape Wind has received from the FAA since the agency began its review of the project in 2002. FAA’s review and approvals of Cape Wind span back to the Bush Administration.

Today’s FAA Determination of No Hazard states: “Therefore the FAA concludes that the project, if constructed as proposed, poses no hazard to air navigation.”

Previously, the FAA issued a Public Notice on February 10, 2012 that stated Cape Wind does not exceed obstruction standards and the FAA announced a public comment period which concluded on March 17, 2012. During that comment period, Cape and Islands State Senator Dan Wolf, who is also Founder and CEO of Cape Air which is the largest commercial user of airspace over Nantucket Sound submitted a letter to the FAA that said, “…I wish to state for the record that I agree with the FAA findings that the Cape Wind project proposed for Horseshoe Shoal will have no adverse impact on air transportation and navigation in the region.”

Cape Wind is now closer to creating the public benefits of cleaner air, greater energy independence and new jobs. Cape Wind will jump start America’s offshore wind industry and make Massachusetts a global leader in offshore wind.

Cape Wind is the first and only U.S. offshore wind farm to have received all required Federal and State approvals, a Commercial Lease, and an approved Construction and Operations Plan. Now having sold more than three quarters of its power in long term Power Purchase Agreements with Massachusetts electric utilities, Cape Wind has commenced its project financing stage.

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Offshore WIND staff, August 16, 2012; Image: cape wind