US To Fire Up Big Offshore Wind Energy Projects 223
coondoggie writes "The US government today took a bold step toward perhaps finally getting some offshore wind energy development going with $50 million in investment money and the promise of renewed effort to develop the energy source. The plan focuses on overcoming three key challenges (PDF) that have made offshore wind energy practically non-existent in the US: the relatively high cost of offshore wind energy; technical challenges surrounding installation, operations, and grid interconnection; and the lack of site data and experience with project permitting processes."
Re:Remember Carter? (Score:4, Interesting)
Most of the pricepoint for wind is tied up in all the "Impact studies" that have been tied to it by various NIMBY groups.
"how will it impact tourism?" ... ... ...
"how will it impact the migratory habits of the eastern canada goose?"
"how will it impact cellular telephone reception?"
"How will it impact the local congressman's chances for re-election?"
With pretty much all of them being valued at OVER the 50 million startup capital investment made by this move.
Quite amusing how all these impact studies get tacked on to projects intended to make everyone's life better, but not on building or development projects of similar scope or magnitude in civic centers. When was the last time you saw a cellular telephone tower getting tied down with impact studies on sparrows? Didn't think so.
Re:Remember Carter? (Score:3, Interesting)
What does the efficiency matter when the resource is free? What is more important is the capital cost and
the operating costs. I would be curious to see a citation for your claim of 1% efficiency of wind turbines.