BOSTON -- It's a 2,000-page preliminary report of Cape Wind's proposal to put 130 wind turbines in Nantucket Sound. The draft environmental impact statement from a federal agency within the Department of Interior gives the controversial wind farm a thumbs up.

"My reaction was, thank God it's finally come out. This report shows that Cape Wind will not produce adverse negative impacts on the environment, on tourism, property values, sea or air navigation," said Jim Gordon, president of Cape Wind Associates.

It is a huge step forward in what has been a hard fought battle against opponents who argued the turbines would wreck the environment, harm rich fishing grounds and ruin the Sound's natural beauty. The federal Minerals Management Service has basically concluded that Massachusetts can't afford not to have Cape Wind.

"It validates that this project is going to be good for our Commonwealth. That it is the right project, in the right place and the right time," said Gordon.

Newscenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported that when this project was first proposed seven years ago oil was an affordable $20 a barrel. Now that oil is $100 a barrel, we are all feeling it at the pump.

"It can become a major component of our energy future. Not only providing electricity but providing fuel for plug-in hybrid vehicles," said Gordon.

Aside from increased energy independence, Gordon added the project will provide new green collar jobs and combat global warming. There are several more hurdles to clear but Cape Wind officials are confident Cape Wind will be the first offshore wind farm to be up and running by 2011.