47.0°F Fair [Forecast]
:: Saturday, November 7th, 2009Cape & Islands News
The ideal newspaper should be "irreverent, rash, feisty, and really care." - Jim BellowsPlease visit these local CapeCodToday sponsors:
Mutual Fund Mistakes
Get my FREE booklet online - "Mutual Fund Mistakes". Consisting of ten clearly explained principles, this booklet was written to help you avoid some common pitfalls and improve your investment performance. (Orleans)
Get my FREE booklet online - "Mutual Fund Mistakes". Consisting of ten clearly explained principles, this booklet was written to help you avoid some common pitfalls and improve your investment performance. (Orleans)
Rebecca Brown, Photographer
A full-service studio with the creative talent and training to create for you stunning, candid images of your family and children here on the Cape. The choice for Naturally Elegant Photography on Cape Cod. (Yarmouth)
A full-service studio with the creative talent and training to create for you stunning, candid images of your family and children here on the Cape. The choice for Naturally Elegant Photography on Cape Cod. (Yarmouth)
Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Study now available online
03/16/07 · 3:12 pm :: posted by CCToday
First MMS report is to establish rules for development of alternative energy projects on the Federal Outer Continental ShelfReport suggests programs for the first 5-7 years offshore
By Dick Farley, Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, DC -- March 16, 2007 -- Draft guidelines for the siting and management of offshore renewable energy installations were released today by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) of the US Department of the Interior.
Release of the "Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Alternative Energy Development and Production and Alternate Use of Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf" (DPEIS) came early this afternoon from Argonne National Laboratory, a federal energy research and development agency assisting MMS in the preparation of the document.There will be a sixty-day public comment period and a round of public hearings across the country before MMS takes the comments back under advisement and review as the agency prepares its Final EIS dealing with offshore energy and alternative uses for existing oil and gas platforms along the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
Cape Wind, Long Island report to come around May first
The document released today does not deal directly with the proposed Cape Wind offshore wind project intended for Nantucket Sound, off Cape Cod. That project is covered by a separate process being conducted simultaneously by MMS with their programmatic EIS development, as mandated by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which instructed MMS to move Cape Wind and another proposed wind project off Long Island, NY ahead.
In practice, however, with the release of the DPEIS today by MMS, Cape Wind and the Long Island project will become subordinate to the programmatic guidelines being offered for public comment today.
Cape Wind has already filed its Final Environmental Impact Report with Massachusetts officials, who issued the project a "Certificate of Adequacy" previously but requested additional information provided in the final submission.
The project-specific Cape Wind Draft EIS is anticipated from MMS by the first week in May or thereabouts, with public hearings to follow in late spring or early summer. A final ruling on Cape Wind by MMS is not expected until 2008.
What today's report is about
The United States Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service (MMS), has made available the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Alternative Energy Development and Production and Alternate Use of Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf (draft Programmatic EIS).
The MMS has prepares this draft Programmatic EIS to support the establishment of a program that provides for the efficient and orderly development of alternative energy projects on the Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) as well as the alternate use of offshore facilities for other energy and marine-related activities.
The draft Programmatic EIS takes a first look at the potential environmental, social, and economic impacts from and mitigation measures for the activities that could be
initiated in the next five to seven years.
The Draft Programmatic EIS is available at the website here.
The public will have 60 days to review and comment on the draft Programmatic EIS. You may submit comments in writing by the following methods:
- Via electronic comment form on this Web site.
- By mail to:
MMS Alternative Energy & Alternate Use Programmatic EIS
Argonne National Laboratory EVS/900
9700 S. Cass Ave., Argonne IL 60439
For more information about the Programmatic EIS and public involvement activities, visit the OCS Alternative Energy and Alternate Use Programmatic EIS Information Center here, or email the agency here. The table below summarizes how the public can get involved in each step of the application.ApplicationName EIS process. 
| Public Involvement in the OCS Alternative Energy and Alternate Use Programmatic EIS Process | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Scoping | Draft Programmatic EIS | Final Programmatic EIS | Record of Decision |
| What Happens: Gather Public Issues and Comments on Scope Consider Public Comments | What Happens: Publish Draft Programmatic EIS Public Examination and Comment Period Consider Public Comments | What Happens: Revise Draft Programmatic EIS Publish Final Programmatic EIS | What Happens: Write and Publish Record of Decision |
| May 5 – July 5, 2006 | Mar. 2007 | Aug. 2007 | Sep. 2007 |
| |||
| Public Involvement Activities: Public Scoping Meetings Submit Public Comments via Mail, Web, or in Person at Meetings | Public Involvement Activities: Public Meetings Submit Public Comments via Mail or Web, or in Person at Meetings | Public Involvement Activities: Public Distribution of Final EIS | Public Involvement Activities: Public Distribution of Record of Decisio |
11 comments
Blog posts and comments are entirely the thoughts and ideas of the people who write them and in no way represent the views of CapeCodToday.com, eCape, Inc., or its employees or owners.
Shecky [Member] writes:
Where's CC TImes on this? This story was posted three days ago and they still haven't noticed that this crucial report has been published!!!
neil good [Member] writes:
Where is CCT on the story in today's Boston Globe about Clean Coal Power?
What's taking so long!!!
What's taking so long!!!
Sacreblu [Member] writes:
This isn't Illinois, Neil.
As the Anti-Wind Farm Vigilantes know, this online newspaper is where we find stories the local media misses, and coal stories about a Cambridge start-up's hope to covert coal to NG is not a cape story by any stretch.
The company according to The Globe "...has run trials converting up to 2,000 pounds a day of coal into gas at its test plant in Des Plaines, Ill."
The fact that Neil Good isn't concerned about why our so-called "newspaper of record" doesn't cover the MMS report Cape Cod has been waiting for years to see, speaks volumes about their agenda.
As the Anti-Wind Farm Vigilantes know, this online newspaper is where we find stories the local media misses, and coal stories about a Cambridge start-up's hope to covert coal to NG is not a cape story by any stretch.
The company according to The Globe "...has run trials converting up to 2,000 pounds a day of coal into gas at its test plant in Des Plaines, Ill."
The fact that Neil Good isn't concerned about why our so-called "newspaper of record" doesn't cover the MMS report Cape Cod has been waiting for years to see, speaks volumes about their agenda.
neil good [Member] writes:
Sammy, are you serious? Go back through the ‘energy’ stories published on CCToday. I could ask you- what does “Renewable New Mexico”; Solar power in Brockton; Wind turbines in other US States, and in London, England, have to do with Cape Cod?
Re-read the story in the Globe-
"...If it can work on a commercial scale, this could be one of the most interesting energy-technology companies in the Commonwealth and, indeed, the entire country," I. Bowles, the Mass. Sec. of Energy and Enviro. affairs, said in an interview. "It has the potential to be a real game-changer for both the coal and nat. gas sectors."
Bowles said he and Gov. Patrick, who have met with key GreatPoint executives, are working to help GreatPoint expand and build a test plant in Massachusetts.
“...it is clear that Massachusetts is one of the places where it makes a lot of commercial sense to locate a project like this."
[Maybe Gov. Patrick will soon learn about the downside to the Cape Wind scheme]
Re-read the story in the Globe-
"...If it can work on a commercial scale, this could be one of the most interesting energy-technology companies in the Commonwealth and, indeed, the entire country," I. Bowles, the Mass. Sec. of Energy and Enviro. affairs, said in an interview. "It has the potential to be a real game-changer for both the coal and nat. gas sectors."
Bowles said he and Gov. Patrick, who have met with key GreatPoint executives, are working to help GreatPoint expand and build a test plant in Massachusetts.
“...it is clear that Massachusetts is one of the places where it makes a lot of commercial sense to locate a project like this."
[Maybe Gov. Patrick will soon learn about the downside to the Cape Wind scheme]
CCToday [Member] writes:
It's rather amusing to read Mr. Good criticiising our coverage of renewable energy while ignoring the fact that CCTimes has yet to report on the release of this report four days after the fact.
Keep it up, Neil. Everytime you write you make us (and Cape Wind) look better.
BTW, why do you imagine the daily hasn't covered this story? Your answer should be a joy for us all to read. Afterall, they have 200 employees and we have a two creating this newspaper.
Keep it up, Neil. Everytime you write you make us (and Cape Wind) look better.
BTW, why do you imagine the daily hasn't covered this story? Your answer should be a joy for us all to read. Afterall, they have 200 employees and we have a two creating this newspaper.
neil good [Member] writes:
If the Cape Cod Times news coverage bothers you in anyway, maybe you should bring it up with them. It doesn’t bother me. Just like the pro-Cape Wind coverage here doesn’t trouble me much at all. It only appears that way.
I actually appreciate what you are doing with C.C.Today. I know there have been a few tense moments, but all things considered, you’ve done a great job giving Cape Wind opponents a chance to speak up. Thank you.
Maybe the Times feels this MMS report, which covers the Programmatic Review for the entire Nation, is NOT a local news story, just as you say above about the-
“…Cambridge start-up's hope to covert coal to NG is not a cape story by any stretch.”
The MMS report on Cape Wind comes later this spring.
I actually appreciate what you are doing with C.C.Today. I know there have been a few tense moments, but all things considered, you’ve done a great job giving Cape Wind opponents a chance to speak up. Thank you.
Maybe the Times feels this MMS report, which covers the Programmatic Review for the entire Nation, is NOT a local news story, just as you say above about the-
“…Cambridge start-up's hope to covert coal to NG is not a cape story by any stretch.”
The MMS report on Cape Wind comes later this spring.
Shecky [Member] writes:
Betcha they'll have it tomorrow 5 days late.
They only rush to print when it's bad news for Cape Wind (sort of like you, Neil).
They only rush to print when it's bad news for Cape Wind (sort of like you, Neil).
neil good [Member] writes:
"The irreparable ecological damage, loss of amenity and DISTRESSING DIVISIONS within communities caused by commercial wind turbines far outweigh any benefit of their insignificant and unreliable contribution to our energy needs..."
"The tiny, intermittent output of electricity and the negligible CO2 savings cannot possibly justify the huge sacrifice of that most finite resource -- our unspoilt and irreplaceable countryside. It is our duty to protect our rural heritage for present and future generations from such gross and unnecessary industrialization."
— Angela Kelly, Country Guardian, U.K.
"The tiny, intermittent output of electricity and the negligible CO2 savings cannot possibly justify the huge sacrifice of that most finite resource -- our unspoilt and irreplaceable countryside. It is our duty to protect our rural heritage for present and future generations from such gross and unnecessary industrialization."
— Angela Kelly, Country Guardian, U.K.
Carl B. Freeman [Member] writes:
neil, good to see you at the CCC hearings last night. Your quote above from — Angela Kelly, is part of Country Guardian's Manifesto. The first line reads:
"Country Guardian believes that investing in commercial wind power according to the Government's policy to reduce CO 2 emissions is misguided, ineffective and neither environmentally nor socially benign."
So what they're saying is: Wind power is bad no matter what, so let's band together and fight it.
Sure, there is power in people joining groups with a cause, but they look pretty silly when reality sharply disagrees with their stance.
Over & over neil, you point to like minded people who share your ire against wind power, all the while in Denmark it quietly produces 20% of their power with no real negatives. The reality again is, they are doubling both big windfarms.
It must be tough putting fourth these ideas every day when the proving ground of the real world disproves them all the time.
"Country Guardian believes that investing in commercial wind power according to the Government's policy to reduce CO 2 emissions is misguided, ineffective and neither environmentally nor socially benign."
So what they're saying is: Wind power is bad no matter what, so let's band together and fight it.
Sure, there is power in people joining groups with a cause, but they look pretty silly when reality sharply disagrees with their stance.
Over & over neil, you point to like minded people who share your ire against wind power, all the while in Denmark it quietly produces 20% of their power with no real negatives. The reality again is, they are doubling both big windfarms.
It must be tough putting fourth these ideas every day when the proving ground of the real world disproves them all the time.
neil good [Member] writes:
Darktest, I respectfully disagree, especially with your claim that Denmark "quietly produces 20% of their power with no real negatives.” More on that later.
You say above how people, “…look pretty silly when reality sharply disagrees with their stance.”
Darktest, on 02/26/07 your stance, in your own words was-
“There has never been an incident of a wind turbine harming ANYONE! EVER! FACT!”
The reality?
Paul Gipe’s “Summary of Fatal Accidents in Wind Energy”
“Death by "multiple amputations" sanitizes a truly grisly accident in 1989, a nightmare witnessed by his coworker, who watched helplessly as J. Donnelley was drawn into the nacelle's slowly spinning machinery… Not long after Donnelly's accident near Palm Springs, Dutchman D.Hozeman was killed in a like manner."
Who looks silly now?
You say above how people, “…look pretty silly when reality sharply disagrees with their stance.”
Darktest, on 02/26/07 your stance, in your own words was-
“There has never been an incident of a wind turbine harming ANYONE! EVER! FACT!”
The reality?
Paul Gipe’s “Summary of Fatal Accidents in Wind Energy”
“Death by "multiple amputations" sanitizes a truly grisly accident in 1989, a nightmare witnessed by his coworker, who watched helplessly as J. Donnelley was drawn into the nacelle's slowly spinning machinery… Not long after Donnelly's accident near Palm Springs, Dutchman D.Hozeman was killed in a like manner."
Who looks silly now?
Please visit these local CapeCodToday sponsors:
Pelham House Resort
Cape Cod’s finest fractional or whole ownership resort. 400 ft of private beach, overlooking Nantucket Sound. Spectacular views, salt water pool, private balconies, tennis court, and more! Shares starting under $50K; ownership starting under 200K. (Dennis)
Cape Cod’s finest fractional or whole ownership resort. 400 ft of private beach, overlooking Nantucket Sound. Spectacular views, salt water pool, private balconies, tennis court, and more! Shares starting under $50K; ownership starting under 200K. (Dennis)
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR COMMENTORS & BLOGGERS: CapeCodToday now requires a one-time validation of your
account email. When logging in or registering for the first time, you will be emailed a link to click that will validate your
email and complete your login. The link in the email must be clicked in the same session when you are logged into the site for security purposes
(i.e. retrieve the email right away and do not close your web browser).
This is a one-time-only process (or if you change the email on your account), and will help CCToday keep out the spammers. If you cannot validate your email because it is invalid, and you are a legitimate user, feel free to contact us and we will update your account to your current email.
This is a one-time-only process (or if you change the email on your account), and will help CCToday keep out the spammers. If you cannot validate your email because it is invalid, and you are a legitimate user, feel free to contact us and we will update your account to your current email.
Please Login or Register to leave a comment. There are 3,187 registered commenters!
CapeCodToday requires readers register an account with us in order to post comments. Become a trusted commenter and receive the benefits of posting instantly throughout the site. It's quick and easy!
Please note: If you are a CapeCodToday registered blogger, you can use your blogger login. Your login for the blogs is separate from your CapeCodToday main site login (if you have one).
About This Blog
These stories about Cape Cod and Islands are written by our staff. You are invited to comment on any story. Your opinion will appear on our front page immediately, and it will be archived and available on this site at any time at no charge by using the search element of the top of every page.
►Walter Brooks, Editor & Publisher
►Maggie Kulbokas, Editor
Recent Comments
- Hey bitter,
Isn't it revolting when Buzz plays the victim, along
2 mins ago - re: mav and his dislike for the people of CC.
5 mins ago - bitter,
I asked cru a specific question as to how she
9 mins ago - crusader..I'm not answering for you, not in the least. But
27 mins ago - cru,
You woke up this morning and the first thing you
59 mins ago
- site sponsors -
CCT Blog List
Blogs with posts in the past 60 days are listed here in order of newest posts. For a list of all blogs, visit Blogs A to Z
- Newest Blog Posts
- Newest Comments
- Entering Falmouth
- Cape Cod History
- Long Bridge Runner
- One Day at a Time
- EXTRA...
- Entering Bourne
- Cape & Islands News
- DIY Marketing
- The Ballyard
- Sea Street
- Mr. Mom I am not
- The Poet's Perspective
- Cape Cod Barrister
- Media Watch
- Police and Fire News
- Latimer on Law
- Bill Snowden's Blog
- Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary
- Trail Hound
- Conservative's Conscience
- Letters to the Editor
- Cape Cod Rock Hopper
- Project I.E.P.
- Cape Cod Tracker
- Ned Sonntag
- Op-Ed
- Editorial
- Mahler's Music Notes
- Through a Washashore's Eyes
- Rep. Jeff Perry in His Own Words
- Off-the-Shelf
- Bismore Park
- Politicalendar
- CapeCodToday Arts Calendar
- Town Notes
- Cape Native
- Travel Tales
- Cape Eyes
- CapeCodToday Featured Event
- Off Cape
- Rog's Gallery
- The Belly Check
- Literary Pop
- Cape Yoga
- Historic Harwich
- My day
- The Natural
- Buckley's Blog
- Eastham Windmill
- Frugal Internet Marketing
- Washington Window
- Seufert's Scenes
- Massachusetts Paranormal Institute
- Cape Cod Pets
- Reflections on a Quarter-life Crisis
- Myrbie & Dax
- Cape Politics
- Gosnold
Archives
- November 2009 (6)
- October 2009 (25)
- September 2009 (35)
- August 2009 (31)
- July 2009 (35)
- June 2009 (40)
- May 2009 (42)
- April 2009 (50)
- March 2009 (49)
- February 2009 (48)
- January 2009 (61)
- December 2008 (60)
- November 2008 (53)
- October 2008 (54)
- September 2008 (45)
- August 2008 (36)
- July 2008 (18)
- June 2008 (22)
- May 2008 (13)
- April 2008 (13)
- March 2008 (37)
- February 2008 (32)
- January 2008 (50)
- December 2007 (34)
- November 2007 (29)
- October 2007 (41)
- September 2007 (48)
- August 2007 (45)
- July 2007 (50)
- June 2007 (49)
- May 2007 (41)
- April 2007 (41)
- March 2007 (37)
- February 2007 (30)
- January 2007 (49)
- December 2006 (54)
- November 2006 (77)
- October 2006 (68)
- September 2006 (67)
- August 2006 (78)
- July 2006 (67)
- June 2006 (89)
- May 2006 (73)
- April 2006 (82)
- March 2006 (104)
- February 2006 (112)
- January 2006 (106)
Become a CapeCodToday Blogger!
Are you passionate about your community? Do you blog or at least harbor thoughts of doing so?
If so, CapeCodToday.com would like to host your blog on our CapeCodToday weblog publishing platform.
Blog Newsfeed
CapeCodToday uses standard web "newsfeeds" (RSS) to automatically update the latest blog entries in your browser or newsreader.
Use any of the links below in your newsreader or web browser to get "Cape & Islands News" postings delivered to you, or use the RSS icon in your browser's address bar.
“The potential for cumulative adverse impacts to these resources would require particular attention when planning and siting new alternative energy facilities.”
I could not agree more.
“…electrocution of ship personnel if fishing vessel equipment became caught on undersea cables…,” may be something that we can also avoid if we pay particular attention when planning and siting these facilities.