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| [SENATOR ROBERT  | #                                 | [COMMITTEES : |
| A.               |                                   | ]{.smallcaps} |
| O'LE             |                                   |               |
| ARY]{.smallcaps} |                                   | [Higher       |
|                  |                                   | Education     |
| [Cape and        |                                   | (Chair)       |
| Islands          |                                   | ]{.smallcaps} |
| Distr            |                                   |               |
| ict]{.smallcaps} |                                   | [Housing      |
|                  |                                   | (Vice         |
| [State House,    |                                   | --Chair)      |
| Room             |                                   | ]{.smallcaps} |
| 4                |                                   |               |
| 16A]{.smallcaps} |                                   | [Elder        |
|                  |                                   | Affairs       |
| [TEL. (617)      |                                   | ]{.smallcaps} |
| 722-1            |                                   |               |
| 570]{.smallcaps} |                                   | [Natural      |
|                  |                                   | Resources     |
| [FAX. (617)      |                                   | ]{.smallcaps} |
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| 271]{.smallcaps} |                                   | [Revenue      |
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| [District        |                                   |               |
| Office: (508)    |                                   |               |
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| [E-Mail:         |                                   |               |
| ROleary          |                                   |               |
| @senate.state.ma |                                   |               |
| .us]{.smallcaps} |                                   |               |
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May 30, 2008

Randell Luthi

Director US Minerals Management Service

c/o Offshore Minerals Management, Alternative Energy Team

381 Elden Street

Herndon, VA 20170-4817

**RE: Notice of Nominations Received, Public Comment Period**

Dear Mr. Luthi:

I am writing to express my support for the request for a lease
nomination in federal waters submitted by the Town of Nantucket to
collect meteorological data in support of a wind energy project south of
Tuckernuck Island. The Town of Nantucket seeks to develop this project
to establish a renewable energy zone. This would allow Nantucket to
control its own energy supply and prices, and obtain its energy from a
clean renewable and environmentally-friendly source which I
whole-heartedly support .

The Town of Nantucket's South Tuckernuck Wind Project is a part of a
unique initiative to establish an offshore renewable energy generation
zone that could ultimately supply the Islands of Nantucket and Martha's
Vineyard with all of its primary energy needs. In addition to the wind
project, the Town of Edgartown has been granted a Preliminary Permit
from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to develop a 5 MW tidal
energy project between the two islands. As State Senator for Cape Cod,
Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, I am thrilled that the two major
islands in my district are collaborating on these projects and see the
potential of their working together as being a monumental example of
communities working together to achieve energy independence.

Additionally, this wind project has the support of the University of
Massachusetts, the office of US Congressman William Delahunt, and the
Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. With
community support coupled with State agency support, and new legislation
allowing for a streamlined development process of offshore energy
generation faculties in place in the Commonwealth, I ask that MMS
reconsider its previous prioritization which left out any coastal
testing facilities in Massachusetts waters.

I appreciate your time in reviewing once again this most important
matter. If I can be of any further service please do not hesitate to
contact me. Thank you again for your time and have a nice day.

Very Truly Yours,

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**Robert A. O'Leary**

State Senator

Cape & Islands District