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While the sites still have to pass environmental assessments,
. . . Interior has taken steps to minimize future Koch-style legal hurdles,
. . . by pre-clearing the designated areas:

Consistent with the Interior Department’s ‘Smart from the Start’ strategy for offshore wind,
. . . each of the 3 Wind Energy Areas, has been designed to make available areas,
. . . that are attractive for commercial offshore wind development,
. . . while also protecting important viewsheds
. . . . . . [note: that would be the Koch thing, regarding Cape Wind],
. . . . . . sensitive habitats and resources and minimizing space use conflicts,
. . . . . . with activities such as military operations, shipping and fishing.

1. North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia have 82% of the total Atlantic coast wind resource in shallow water and more than 12 miles offshore (not counting Florida).

2. The 5 Southeastern coastal states (including Florida) represent 5 of the 6 largest electricity markets on the Atlantic coast with high per-capita electricity consumption.

3. These 5 states account for 5 of the 6 fastest growing populations, on the Atlantic coast, indicating above average electricity demand growth.

4. North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia have the lowest construction costs for offshore wind energy of all the East Coast states (not including Florida).

5. Wind energy, and particularly offshore wind, is well-suited to the vertical integration model followed by utilities in the Southeast.

08-17-2014 Source:  Interior Dept Blows Off Koch

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