Government shutdown impacting planning for wind power farm
Narragansett, R.I. (AP) — The ongoing federal government shutdown is affecting the planning for a proposed wind farm project off New England's coast.
Two federal meetings have been postponed indefinitely, one in New Bedford, Mass., on Tuesday and another in Narragansett, R.I., on Wednesday.
The Providence Journal reports other meetings in Hyannis, Nantucket and Vineyard Haven will be postponed if the shutdown continues past Jan. 14.
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management meetings were scheduled to collect public comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, a required step in approving the 800-megawatt project.
The wind farm would have approximately 100 turbines and begin about 14 miles south of Martha's Vineyard.
A Vineyard Wind spokesman says the company has faith the government will reopen soon.
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