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Wind Could Provide All US Power: Feds

Interior Dept. study sees offshore turbines generating energy

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 3, 2009 10:18 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Offshore winds are a largely untapped resource that could potentially supply the US with even more electricity than it currently needs, according to a new Interior  Department report. The report says the area off the Atlantic coast could meet more than one-fourth of the national power demand, but the fact that it omits mention of untapped oil and gas reserves has critics crying foul, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar acknowledged the possible Hawaii and Pacific coastal turbine sites mentioned in the report lie "in deep waters where technology constraints are potentially significant." The report also mentions that several billion barrels' worth of oil may be buried beneath the Pacific, but cautions the research is 25 years old; advocates of the "drill, baby, drill" approach contend that updated surveys would show even larger reserves.

Cape Wind Associates hope to build 130 windmills over 25 miles of federal waters in Nantucket Sound. The turbines would up to 440 feet above sea level when the tallest blade is pointing up.
Cape Wind Associates hope to build 130 windmills over 25 miles of federal waters in Nantucket Sound. The turbines would up to 440 feet above sea level when the tallest blade is pointing up.   (AP Photo/Heribert Proepper)
Turbines placed offshore, especially off the Atlantic coast, could harness plenty of renewable energy to meet the nation's needs.
Turbines placed offshore, especially off the Atlantic coast, could harness plenty of renewable energy to meet the nation's needs.   (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
President-elect Barack Obama toured Cardinal Fastener and Specialty Company, which manufactures screws and bolts needed for wind turbines, Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, in Ohio.
President-elect Barack Obama toured Cardinal Fastener and Specialty Company, which manufactures screws and bolts needed for wind turbines, Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, in Ohio.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
A speed boat passes by offshore windmills in the North Sea offshore from the village of Blavandshuk near Esbjerg, Denmark, in this file photo taken on Wednesday, Oct.30, 2002.
A speed boat passes by offshore windmills in the North Sea offshore from the village of Blavandshuk near Esbjerg, Denmark, in this file photo taken on Wednesday, Oct.30, 2002.   (AP Photo/Heribert Proepper)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
riffran
Apr 5, 2009 4:40 AM CDT
as long as the horses don't fart...rofl......woa bessie...back off the oats!!!
riffran
Apr 4, 2009 12:06 PM CDT
excellent point there "snow"....there is no ONE alternative to the energy problem, the dutch have an excellent idea of making "power island", and using wind and solar to pump water out of the interior during excess power production, and use it to store "hydro/turbine " potential for periods of less production
Snowleopard
Apr 3, 2009 10:56 AM CDT
The sun, and in turn heat, drive the planet's climate systems. If there's more heat, there will be more wind. and if there's a pattern to the past few decades, its that weather systems are becoming more volatile. But it is dumb to do 100% wind since the wind doesn't always blow. Better to balance it out with solar, hydro and nuclear... and maybe deep-earth geo-thermal if they can pull it off.

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The full report from the Interior Department
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energy • Department of the Interior • renewable energy • Ken Salazar • natural gas • wind power • turbines • offshore oil • offshore development • domestic oil production • offshore drilling

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