Mass. Lawmakers Press Feds To OK Cape Wind Financing

BOSTON (AP) — The 11-member Massachusetts congressional delegation has sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Energy urging him to approve a loan guarantee for the Cape Wind offshore wind power project.

The Department of Energy is currently considering a loan guarantee for the 130-turbine project planned for Nantucket Sound.

The letter written by U.S. Rep. Bill Keating says the project will create jobs and help establish Massachusetts as a hub of new energy technology.

Cape Wind aims to be the nation's first offshore wind farm. Developers of the $2.6 billion project say it will create 600 to 1,000 jobs during construction and 50 permanent jobs. Critics say the project will ruin Nantucket Sound and that its power is too expensive.

The loan guarantee would cover just a portion of the project, which is seeking financing.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.