Comment from Carl Borchert, Clean Power Now Nantucket

Off shore wind power makes so much sense. The winds are stronger and more consistant. The visual impacts are less than on land. Manufacturers are working on prototypes of 6 megawatt offshore units for jack foundations in up to 200' of water. There is the potential for 350,000 mega watts of off shore wind energy from Maine to North Carolina alone. This is enough power for the entire Eastern Seaboard of the USA. This electricity would not have to be transported far to connect to the grid. Major cities on the East Coast could be powered by wind energy. As a resident of Nantucket Island I welcome the idea of off shore leases nearby in federal waters. Many jobs could be created in a new off shore wind industry here in the USA. We are over 20 years behind Europe in off shore wind energy development. I have worked tirelessly on this issue for 10 years with the Cape Wind Energy Project as a proponent with Clean Power Now. I am concerned about the effects of climate change on my home here. Wind power can help us begin the transition away from fossil fuel burning for electricity production. Thank you for your interest in off shore wind energy. It just makes so much sense. Carl K. Borchert Chapter Director Clean Power Now Nantucket MA