Fishermen Look to Hook Offshore Wind

Fishermen building offshore wind farms would be a great story on many levels if were true. Turns out it is.

Fisherman's Energy of New Jersey recently took the next step -- petitioned for permits from the state -- toward building six turbines in the waters off Atlantic City to generate 25 megawatts.  That's enough to power about 25,000 homes, according to Yahoo Answers.

If that seems like a drop in the bucket, remember we have to start somewhere. It is powerfully symbolic as well as a step in  the right direction. Every step we take away from a petroleum economy and toward a clean energy future is a good one (as long as it is sustainable).

And the story is a good one. "I remember when Fishermen's Energy first came forward. All these big-name, well-connected energy companies were presenting plans, and more than a few eyebrows were raised when fishermen - fishermen! - submitted a plan as well. They said that they wanted to expand their harvest from the ocean. They wanted not just fish, but wind," according to Sandy Bauers of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

There's something simply...cool about fishermen netting the wind. Sailors would be a good, natural group, too, as they already harness the wind. 

Read more here.

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