Cape Wind project in balance as US wind farms face stiff opposition

The US government is edging towards a final decision on the controversial Cape Wind offshore wind project following a landmark ruling by a federal agency that could render the proposed site unusable.

The Department of the Interior has said it is aiming to reach a resolution over the future of the development by 1 March. The announcement came as the chances of the project getting the go-ahead this week received a further blow when the National Park Service's (NPS) Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places found that the proposed site is eligible to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Cape Wind, slated for development in Nantucket Sound, has been under consideration since 2001. It was originally scheduled to receive a planning decision in mid-2008, and to be up and running by the end of this year.

However, the project, which would represent the first US offshore wind farm, has faced significant opposition from Cape Cod residents, including recently deceased senator Edward Kennedy, who fear that it will damage the beauty of the surrounding coastline.

The project was officially approved by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) last January, but two federally recognised Native American tribes - the Mashpee Wampanoag and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gayhead (Aquinnah) - challenged the decision, arguing that it would impinge upon an historically significant area.

The NPS began a review of the historical status of the site at the request of the Minerals Management Service in November, after the MMS found itself at odds with the native tribes over the proposed site.

However, while the NPS decision that the site is eligible to qualify as a place of historic interest found in the tribes' favour, it is not a binding ruling.

"The keeper is responsible for making this determination of eligibility; however, final decisions with respect to project implementation rest solely with the Federal agency funding, licensing or assisting the project, which in this case is MMS," the ruling stated.

The decision adds to a tough week for US wind projects in general.

The Bureau of Land Management also unveiled guidelines on Monday to protect the threatened sage grouse bird, which could have a major impact on future wind farm developments in the state of Wyoming.

The office of state governor Dave Freudenthal said the guidelines functionally exclude wind projects in 20 per cent of Wyoming. Talking to Reuters, an assistant to the governor said that the guidelines require that the state prevent any net loss in the sage grouse population.

In other news, AMSC Windtec, the wind energy subsidiary of engineering giant American Superconductor, has announced plans to jointly develop a giant 5MW wind turbine with China's third-largest wind turbine manufacturer, Dongfang Steam Turbine Works.

The turbines will hit the market in 2012, following on from a 2.5MW turbine also being developed by the two companies, which ships this year.