04.28.10

Sen. Murkowski Welcomes Permitting Decision on Cape Cod Wind

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today welcomed Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar's decision to allow the Cape Wind development to advance.

"After nearly a decade of rigorous and unprecedented environmental review, I'm pleased to see Cape Wind has finally won federal approval," Murkowski said. "Increasing our use of renewable energy, including wind generation, is vital to improving our nation's energy security."

Cape Wind will be the nation's first offshore wind project and is expected to provide three-quarters of the electricity needs of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with 130 wind turbines. Europe already has 39 offshore wind farms with a total of 830 turbines.

"This is an historic project that I hope will provide the impetus for more offshore wind development in our nation," Murkowski said.

# # #