EXTRA...

Cape Wind will pay state over over $14 million; Lightning victim killed in ‘split second'; Pollution, warmer seas hike red tide threat; Renewable Energy investors optimistic; Delegates upset about funds to CC Commission

TODAY's quote: "It was a hell of a bang, a big bang." - John Jonason.

Financial, environmental benefits to Cape Wind project
Cape Wind will pay state over over $14 million

Massachusetts will lose $588,033 of annual new revenue ($14.7 million during Cape Wind's 25-year lease) if opponents' plan to promote Blue H USA's unproven deepwater floating-platform scheme stops Cape Wind.

Cape Wind will pay the feds $2,177,900 annually, 27 percent ($588,033) of which will flow to Massachusetts.

Cape and islands towns would lose their portion of Cape Wind's payments.

Minerals Management Service's new regulations, explained at their June 9 Boston workshop, include a formula to calculate federal lease payments.

Cape Wind will pay the feds $2,177,900 annually, 27 percent ($588,033) of which will flow to Massachusetts.

A state receives that share if offshore wind turbines are within six miles of their shore.

Since Blue H's deepwater floating turbines - if ever built - will be more than six miles from shore, Massachusetts would receive no payment... Patriot Ledger.
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Some Assembly delegates upset about funds to CC Commission

"It just doesn't meet the openness I know we work under." - Tom Lynch.

The decision to commit $350,000 a year in Cape & Islands license plate revenue to implementation of the region's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) prompted pre-Fourth of July fireworks this week.

At the July 1 meeting of the county Assembly of Delegates, the member from Barnstable, Tom Lynch, had a heated exchange with county commissioners chairman Sheila Lyons. Lynch was objecting to the board's decision to adopt the Cape Cod Economic Development Council's recommendation without seeking broader advice, including the Assembly's.

"It just doesn't meet the openness I know we work under," said Lynch, referring to his role as assistant town manager... Barnstable Patriot.
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Pollution, warmer seas
hike red tide threat

"The seas were red with blood." It would be a mistake to take this ancient Egyptian description literally. There was no human carnage or apocalypse, but rather an ocean plague of early blooming marine algae. Red tide is a scourge that has affected humans throughout the ages.
   The sometimes-lethal phenomenon already has appeared in parts of New England this year and has become a perennial threat. Having a shellfish license to gather clams, oysters and mussels, I'm particularly concerned about the extent of this year's eruption.
   Red tide refers to about 60 potentially deadly oceanic biotoxins. Shellfish filter-feed and can accumulate toxins released by microorganisms in the water.   An overabundance of dinoflagellate producing these toxins can turn water the telltale reddish color that is so dreaded... Telegram.

Pal: Lightning victim killed in ‘split second'

The man who witnessed one of his best friends being struck and killed by lightning says he saw his buddy stand up on a fishing boat during a violent thunderstorm before a bolt struck him down in a "split second."

"It was a hell of a bang, a big bang," said John Jonason, 66, who was just 1,000 feet away when a fellow quahogger was killed on an Orleans bay Wednesday. "It was so bright. I couldn't see."

Jonason of Eastham doesn't know why his friend, Christopher West, 41, also of Eastham, stood up amid lightning and torrential rain on Little Pleasant Bay. The strike happened at about 5:30 p.m. and the storm that preceded it moved in fast, Jonason said. He said they lay down in their boats to wait out the storm. Jonason was lying in his boat when he saw a lightning bolt hit West... Herald.
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Renewable Energy Investors Are Cautiously Optimistic

In just five months, the U.S. government has gone from being a casual supporter of renewable energy to the one of world's biggest investors in the space. Now the private sector is trying to figure out what role it will play in this new era of government involvement.

Public policies in the form of incentives and procurement targets have historically provided the necessary base-level demand for clean energy. Acting on those signals, the private sector has brought clean energy close to the mainstream.

According to a report released by New Energy Finance (NEF) last month, renewables brought in more investment than fossil energy technologies in 2008 and represented 40% of global power capacity additions, making the industry a real player on the global stage.

But with the private sector in disarray, investments in clean energy have fallen considerably in 2009. Meanwhile, concerns over climate change continue to rise. In order to keep momentum strong, governments are stepping up and increasingly acting as investors - and the U.S. is the leading the trend... Renewable Energy World.