Walter Brooks provided an update of Cape Wind's progress --
Cape Wind continues to move ahead on staging port
Cape Wind meets with Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee
A short video about the powerful new Siemens's turbines which Cape Wind will use.
Part of the $35 million terminal project may be moved to Quonset, RI
By Walter Brooks
Cape Wind spokesman Mark Rodgers says that while they remain optimistic about New Bedford as the site for the new $35 million dollar terminal for the project it is an "open question" whether a terminal planned for New Bedford will be ready to use as the wind farm's construction staging area.
This may force Cape Wind to move part of the work to another location like Quonset, RI where the company held talks this week with Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee.
The permitting in New Bedford has been slow for the planned $35 million terminal, and they need to keep their options open. There have been reports in the local press that the terminal may cost as much as $100 million and provide even more jobs for the region.
600 new jobs created
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said Cape Wind had expressed concerns to the city about the timetable, but said the state is insistent the terminal will be completed in time for all of the work to be done in New Bedford.
Chafee spokeswoman Christine Hunsinger, said Cape Wind has been assessing the capabilities of the state’s ports at Quonset in North Kingstown and in Providence.
The project is expected to bring hundreds of jobs to an area that desperately needs them. Rhode Island has the second-highest unemployment rate in the country and New Bedford is in one of the most economically depressed areas of Massachusetts.
He added, ‘‘An open question is whether it will be available for everything, or if the work is done in stages.
"We’re keeping our options open. We'd like to use New Bedford to the greatest extent we can, but it depends on their availability.’’
Rodgers said that among the topics they discussed was whether Quonset would be able to take on at least some work Cape Wind planned in New Bedford if it can't be done there.
Ed Wasburn, Deputy Mayor in New Bedford said, ‘‘One port isn’t going to be able to do it all. That’s what we’re hoping for here.’’
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