EPA gives OK to Mass. wind, cargo terminal

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BOSTON, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it gave its consent to Massachusetts to build a $100 million terminal that could support wind energy projects.

The EPA approved a 28-acre marine terminal in New Bedford Harbor. The agency said the primary purpose of the terminal would be to provide infrastructure for offshore renewable energy facilities and for future international shipping needs.

"This facility makes Massachusetts the East Coast hub for offshore wind development while strengthening New Bedford's position as a port city," Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said in a statement.

The EPA said the project meets federal and state environmental standards. Regional EPA Administrator Curt Spalding said the EPA was confident that construction would be carried out in a way that protects residents and the environment from harm.

Dredging associated with the project's construction would help remediate a Superfund site that's been contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyl.

In April, U.S. regulators approved the construction plan for the Cape Wind energy project off the coast of Massachusetts. The project calls for 130 wind turbines capable of generating about 3.6 megawatts of energy each. It should be completed by 2014.