Editorial: Not Winded
The controversial wind farm project off Cape Cod known as Cape Wind recently landed key federal approval, which was welcome news.
The process to gain approval for the project - which would include construction of 130 wind turbines in Nantucket Sound, 5 miles from the nearest coastline - has been unnecessarily laborious. The fact that the project is moving toward construction is a good sign not only for that specific project, but for all wind energy projects in the Bay State and the region.
The approval in question came from the U.S. Minerals Management Service in a nearly 2,000-page draft environmental impact statement. It's not clear why it took 2,000 pages, but we'll take what we can get.
The federal agency found that Cape Wind would have little to no impact on the area's wildlife and fisheries. The report also said that the altered ocean view from the bow of boats was the only "major" impact, and honestly, boaters should be able to live with a slightly different vista in exchange for the ease on their conscience knowing the turbines aren't contributing to global warming.
More Hoops
Besides initial approval, there is still more work to be done before wind mills automatically start sprouting up off Cape Cod. There's an obligatory 60-day public comment period to get through, which will include hearings in Hyannis/Yarmouth, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Boston.
Some estimates say complete federal approval won't be had until late this year or early 2009. Then state permits must be secured before construction can finally begin.
The project will have the capacity to produce about 468 megawatts of electricity, or 75 percent of the electricity demand for Cape Cod and the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. By getting our energy from a renewable, clean source like wind, we'll be reducing our reliance on dirtier sources of power - like oil or coal burning power plants.
It's a win not only for environmentalists, but for all of us that wish to see our reliance on foreign oil reduced.
Of course, it's worth noting that our former governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney has been on the campaign trail railing against our nation's over-reliance on foreign oil. Guess he's finally seen the light after being one of the toughest opponents of the Cape Wind project while in office.
But putting presidential politics aside, we can all agree that alternative energy's day has finally arrived. Oil prices have risen so dramatically, and technology in the clean energy sector has improved so dramatically, that it runs counter to common sense to delay a more aggressive implementation of these clean, new technologies.
True, the Cape Wind turbines might mar the panoramic views slightly from the Kennedy compound and other coastal properties. But that's a short-sighted complaint. The wind turbines make eminent sense in today's energy picture - and further advancements in technology over the coming decade will someday make even the wind turbines obsolete.
Besides, the windmills aren't ugly. In fact, some might call them majestic.
The bottom line is - the regulatory process for large scale energy projects is fraught with a complicated and cumbersome set of approvals. Few are likely to have the staying power and determination of the Cape Wind proponents, and there is a real danger that many projects of merit will simply never get a fair hearing and never get off the ground. We will all have to push for speedier approvals for projects like Cape Wind and keep them out of the realm of political gamesmanship. They can't be left to sit on the back burner. Their time is now.
Central Massachusetts has been called by some a perfect place for wind farms. Already, there are several wind farm projects underway, including at Holy Name High School in Worcester and on Mount Wachusett in Princeton. Elected officials in the state, including Gov. Deval Patrick, would like to make Massachusetts a hub for clean energy and a place where many clean energy industries can grow and thrive. The more of these projects we can approve, the closer that admirable goal can come within the state's grasp.
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