Decision due on controversial Cape Cod wind farm

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U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has made his decision about whether to permit the nation’s first offshore wind farm, off Cape Cod, and will make the announcement Wednesday in Boston with Gov. Deval Patrick, a Massachusetts Statehouse official confirmed Tuesday night.

Salazar plans to brief the governor and other officials Wednesday before announcing his decision at a Statehouse news conference, the official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak ahead of the announcement.

If Salazar approves, the decision on the controversial Cape Wind project would clear the way for a 130-turbine wind farm in Nantucket Sound.

The plan to announce the decision with Patrick bodes well for advocates of Cape Wind because the governor is a supporter of the project.

Cape Wind aims to begin generating electricity in 2012 and supply three-quarters of the Cape’s power. Cape Wind officials say it will provide green jobs and a reliable domestic energy source, and offshore wind advocates are hoping it can jump-start an industry that’s lagging behind Europe and China.

Opponents want the project moved out of Nantucket Sound, saying it would endanger marine life and maritime traffic, while defacing historic vistas.

--Associated Press