Congressional nudge for test of floating wind turbines

By Stephanie Ebbert, Globe Staff

Massachusetts' 10-member Congressional delegation has urged the federal government to consider leasing a portion of federal waters to Blue H USA for a test of deep-water wind technology off the coast of Massachusetts using a floating wind turbine.

The US Minerals Management Service is considering proposals from renewable energy companies eager to tap wind and wave resources along the outer continental shelf. But Blue H applied too late for the first round of projects that MMS approved in the spring. Company officials said yesterday they hope to win approval in time to start construction of a test project in the fall.

Ultimately, Blue H wants to float 120 wind turbines 48 miles off the coast of New Bedford, where they will be virtually invisible from shore.

Another wind farm developer, Cape Wind Associates, has been pursuing plans for seven years to build 130 turbines in Nantucket Sound, but the project has been dogged by opposition.