New Bedford port goes from whales to wind

New Bedford port goes from whales to wind    Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick on Wednesday said a new multipurpose marine terminal will be built in the port of New Bedford to support the delivery, assembly and installation of offshore wind turbines, as well as shipping and other commercial activities.
   Cape Wind Associates will use the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal for the first U.S. offshore wind farm in Nantucket Sound.
   'In the first half of the 19th century, New Bedford produced the advanced fuel of the age — whale oil — and became known as 'the city that lit the world,' ' Patrick said. 'Now, with this new terminal, and this first-in-the-nation project, New Bedford will once again begin to light the world, but this time with the clean, renewable energy resource of the 21st century — offshore wind.'
   'Not only will New Bedford be a major beneficiary of the Cape Wind project, but the marine terminal will be an integral component of the area’s infrastructure that will provide permanent economic benefits to the city and the entire region,' added Rep. Barney Frank, in a statement.
   The terminal will comprise a 1,200-linear-foot bulkhead with deepwater access and roughly 20 acres of surface space. It will initially be used to support the Cape Wind and its turbine supplier, Siemens, to build the first offshore wind project in the United States. The terminal will accommodate the docking of vessels that deliver wind turbine parts, as well as barges to transport components from port to the installation area, in addition to lay down space.
   The governor's office said that having such a terminal will enhance Massachusetts' competitive position as the 'first mover' in offshore wind, with a port facility ideally located near other areas far off the coastline that are under consideration for future wind installations. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has commissioned a transmission study outlining methods for connecting multiple offshore wind projects to the onshore power grid.
   The U.S. government is commencing a leasing process for federal waters farther from the coast of Massachusetts and all along the Atlantic Coast. That will lead to dozens of offshore wind projects, many of which could make use of this terminal.
   The federal National Renewable Energy Laboratory predicts that full development of U.S. offshore wind potential could create 43,000 permanent jobs and generate $200 billion in economic activity. At least four other East Coast states are pursuing wind energy projects off their coasts.
   The terminal is still in the process of engineering and design, but the cost of construction is estimated at $35 million and is expected to be financed by state, federal and city resources, as well as operating revenues. The terminal will be operated by a consortium of state and local agencies. New Bedford was chosen for this facility through a state study of deepwater ports to determine the most suitable port for serving the offshore wind industry.
   The governor's office said Cape Wind would pay commercial rates established by the operating authority through the wind project’s construction period, expected to be 2011 through 2012. The terminal will also be available for other bulk and container cargoes, as well as additional offshore renewable energy projects as they become ready for construction. ' Chris Gillis