Cape Wind Associates, LLC (Cape Wind) has received final environmental impact statement (EIS) from the Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) for the 130 turbine, 468 megawatt (MW) wind farm. The proposed wind farm will be located 7.5 km offshore Cape Cod. The power generated would be sufficient for 75% of the electricity demand of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

Studies found that the impact of the project would be mostly negligible or minor, with some moderate impacts found. The EIS assesses physical, biological and social/human impacts of the project, along with concerns related to navigation, transportation and aviation traffic and facilities.

There will be a 30 day waiting period before the MMS issues a record of decision, stating whether or not a lease will be issued for the project.

MMS Director Randall Luthi said, While we anxiously await the publication of the Final Rule governing the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Alternative Energy Program, we are moving forward with important environmental work to ensure we have the best available scientific data upon which to base our decisions.

As with the development of traditional sources of energy such as oil and gas, we must use a balanced approach to developing alternative energy resources, weighing the nation’s demand for energy with our responsibility to protect and preserve the environment.