Federal government, 5 states put wind farms on fast track

Federal government, 5 states put wind farms on fast track | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
Critics say the giant turbines would ruin spectacular vistas, lower shoreline property values and harm birds and fish.
......Supporters describe the lakes' winds as a vast, untapped source of clean energy and economic growth.
"The goal ... is to cut through red tape so we can efficiently and responsibly evaluate offshore wind projects that have the potential to create American jobs and reduce pollution in our communities," said Nancy Sutley, chairwoman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
Administration officials said the region's offshore winds could generate more than 700 gigawatts of electricity -- a fifth of all potential wind energy nationwide.
.....Yet harnessing only a small portion of the Great Lakes' offshore wind could generate thousands of jobs, officials said.
......Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said developing offshore wind energy would "promote economic development and create jobs, while reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources."
The deal "should lower yield costs and improve processing of permit applications, as each government unit learns from others' experiences," said Tim Rylan, president of Apex Offshore Wind, a Charlottesville, Va., company that is considering a Lake Erie project.