Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick yesterday announced an ambitious goal of developing 2,000 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity–enough to power 800,000 Massachusetts homes–by 2020.
There are currently nine wind turbines in Massachusetts with a total
generating capacity of just under 7 MW. But there are more than 300
wind turbines, representing generating capacity of 800 MW, at various
stages of planning and permitting.
“We have already made a commitment to reaching 250 megawatts of solar power in Massachusetts by 2017, and we are moving toward that goal. Now is the time to turn to wind power, where we should reach even higher,” said Governor Patrick.
Massachusettshas been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for one of just two Wind Technology Testing Centers in the country, poising the Commonwealth to become a national center for wind power research and development, offering the economic rewards of technology development, entrepreneurship, and jobs.
The Oceans Act, a comprehensive ocean management plan to be
completed by the end of 2009, is expected to identify locations in
state waters other than the Cape Cod Ocean Sanctuary, off the coast of
the national seashore, for potential development of wind farms.
Legislation enacted last year contained provisions requiring greater use of renewable energy and encouraging its development and adoption in the state. The Green Communities Act, a comprehensive energy reform bill, accelerated the increase of renewable energy required of all electricity suppliers, rising from 4% of sales to 15 percent by 2020, and set a goal of 20% of all electricity coming from renewables by that time.
Loading...