Wind energy can power much of East Coast, study says

[kpete]

Source: McClatchy

* Posted on Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Wind energy can power much of East Coast, study says

By Renee Schoof | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — The strong winds off the Atlantic Ocean could become a cost-effective way to power much of the East Coast — especially North and South Carolina, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia, a new study released Tuesday says.

The report by the conservation advocacy group Oceana argues that offshore wind could generate 30 percent more electricity on the East Coast than could be generated by the region's untapped oil and gas. It predicts that wind from the ocean could be cost competitive with nuclear power and natural gas to produce electricity.

The study appears just as new developments are starting to push U.S. efforts to catch up with Europe and China on tapping the energy in offshore wind. Great Britain last week opened the world's largest wind farm, and China built its first pilot offshore wind farm in 2008, using turbines from the nation's largest wind turbine producer, Sinovel.

The Department of Energy earlier this month issued a draft plan for creating a U.S. offshore wind energy program.


Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/09/28/101206/wind-energy-can-power-much-of.html#ixzz10qVvzr7h

[avaistheone1]

1. Outstanding.

:thumbsup:

[geardaddy]

2. But, but, but...

it will spoil the view from our beach house.

:sarcasm:

[smiley]

3. shhhhh...

we wouldn't want that getting out:sarcasm:

[JDPriestly]

4. Great. Let's move on this. It will take many years to put the infrastructure

in place.

[truthisfreedom]

5. And so many manufacturing jobs will be created!

[kpete]

6. great news

for a heated planet, wind,

kpete
in san diego (113 yesterday)

[Nihil]

7. Kick for some good news. (n/t)

[hedgehog]

8. My grandparents grew up with no running water and no electricity.

Yesterday I stood in their home town and counted the wind turbines on the surrounding ridges. Boston is now officially behind than the West of Ireland!