Cape Wind Approval

Not too long ago I posted about wind farming "off shore". In that piece I noted that Europe had more of both on and off shore wind farms then the US. I had found only one mention of a US off shore farm - in the Nantucket Sound - at least a proposed one.

As it turns out - it has not yet been created and only today received the go ahead from the US Interior Secretary. It looks like many legislators in Massachusetts are in support of the wind farm, but it could still be a long way from actual development. There are many other approvals that Cape Wind Associates will have to receive and then there is the financing. Still, today was monumental for some.

The official approval also means that those opposed to the wind farm can file lawsuits. As I read about the decision, in print and on line - I again was hard pressed to find the environmental risk factors, as I know that they exist. People were NOT complaining about that however. Residents in the area are upset about the view and the obstruction of view and some people are upset about how the structures will impact boating and other water activities, and a few local Indian tribes are concerned about rituals and burial grounds, but very little is said about how it will harm the marine environment - which is my concern.

I did find information eventually and there is a coalition against the offshore farm. There are several organizations working together to bring attention and perhaps suit with regard to this development. There is an umbrella group called the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound. They address the aesthetic and financial impact the project could have, but they also discuss environmental impact. BTW, wind turbines use oil and could also leak. Anyway, if you are interested in how this alternative energy solution can create problems itself you can read about it here.

Again, I am in support of alternative energy and fuels and even wind farms, but not in our oceans.