The grandson of marine scientist Jacques Cousteau is backing a proposal to build an energy producing windmill park in the Atlantic Ocean, four miles south of Long Island.
NEW YORK — The grandson of marine scientist Jacques Cousteau is backing a proposal to build an energy producing windmill park in the Atlantic Ocean, four miles south of Long Island.
"As we move into the 21st Century our continued dependence on carbon-based energy is totally unacceptable," said Philippe Cousteau, president of EarthEcho International, a Washington, D.C.-based marine science and environmental preservation group.
Speaking Tuesday at a press conference on Long Island, Cousteau added: "We owe it to ourselves and especially our children to vigorously develop renewable energy sources such as offshore wind in the interest of national security, continued economic viability, public health and the environment."
The Long Island Power Authority and representatives of FPL Energy said at the press conference they have filed an application with the Army Corps of Engineers to create a "wind energy park" in an 8-square-mile area 4.1 miles south of Cedar Beach in Babylon.
"Over a 20-year period, the offshore wind park could prevent the burning of over 13.5 million barrels of fuel oil, which will eliminate millions of tons of combustion emissions from going into our region's environment," said LIPA Chairman Richard Kessel.
"Today we draw a symbolic line in the sand and say we're tired of being held hostage to OPEC and other foreign oil producers, and we're going to do something positive to develop an alternative energy resource."
Kessel said the project would cost several hundred million dollars.
FPL would pay for, own and operate the turbines, while LIPA would purchase all the power. LIPA would also pay for the transmission line.
The filing of the application begins an extensive process of federal and state review, including the opportunity for public comment, LIPA officials said.
Along with the backing from Cousteau, the project has the support of the Long Island Offshore Wind Initiative, a coalition of about 30 environmental, consumer and faith-based organizations across Long Island.
Source: Associated Press
