CAPE MAY — Never was heard a discouraging word at a meeting seeking public comment on the Coast Guard’s plans to construct two wind turbines on their base here.
LCDR Casey L. Chmielewski, staff judge advocate of the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center, (TRACEN) led a meeting Wednesday March 11 in City Hall Auditorium. TRACEN is proposing to construct two, 2-megawatt wind turbines on 328-foot towers at two locations on the base here to provide 66 percent to 70 percent of the base’s energy needs.
Chmielewski said construction could begin in the fall of 2011 with the two turbines to be located on the harbor side of the base about 600 yards apart. He said one of the turbines would be located 200 yards from the home of TRACEN’s commanding officer, noting it would have little impact on any residences.
The wind turbines would be slightly visible above rooftops from Poverty Beach. The harbor side sites would offer the least effect on birds, he said.
Chmielewski said producing power for the base by wind power would save the equivalent of 19 million ponds of carbon dioxide, save the equivalent of almost 21,000 barrels of oil, equal planting over 3,700 trees and taking 2,000 cars off the road. The base is the single largest energy consumer in Cape May, he said.
The Coast Guard will share the data with communities here considering wind turbine projects, said Chmielewski.
Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr. said the City of Cape May “strongly endorses the Coast Guard’s proposed construction and operation of a wind power project to create a cost efficient and technically feasible renewable energy project at TRACEN.” He said he read a draft environmental assessment (EA) report and noted the wind turbines would have minimal environmental impacts.
Mahaney said while there could be loss of life to bats and some birds including the federally endangered piping plover and state threatened species such as the least tern and the peregrine falcon, he said the EA did not indicate the rate of mortality would be “biologically significant.”
The Coast Guard recommends reduced wind turbine operation during bird migration and life history period of the mentioned threatened species.
Sandy Malone offered a positive endorsement of city’s Environmental Commission for the wind turbine project, which she said, would serve as a progressive model for the entire South Jersey region.
Ronda Jackson, director of communications for Fisherman’s Energy, which is seeking to build offshore wind turbines, said the group extended its support and would be happy to provide assistance to the Coast Guard.
Resident Kevin Malone said he looked forward to waking up in the morning and seeing the two towers. He asked if the Coast Guard could provide more details on technologies that were available to protect migratory birds and bats.
Malone said the Federal Aviation Administration has radar in Washington State that protects migratory birds.
Mary Ann Gaffney, chairwoman of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission and member of the city’s Energy Commission, said she applauded the Coast Guard. She said they may find it unusual for a “little old lady” that protects old houses to endorse the project.
“Right on,” said Gaffney.
