A new study mapping out habitats in and around the waters off New York was released on Tuesday, bringing the state a step closer to determining the potential for wind energy projects offshore.

The study is the product of a two-year joint effort by New York's Department of State and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to identify critical bird and fish habitats to ensure that they are not harmed by future wind farms. Environmental groups say the pre-screening will help save time and red tape and could attract developers and investors to wind projects by removing uncertainties about the environmental impacts at a given site.

via New York Maps Viable Offshore Wind Power - NYTimes.com.