Common Sense Energy - After 9 years!

Boston Globe: In a groundbreaking decision that some say will usher in a new era of clean energy, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said today he was approving the nation's first offshore wind farm, the controversial Cape Wind project off of Cape Cod.

"This will be the first of many projects up and down the Atlantic coast," Salazar said at a joint State House news conference with Governor Deval Patrick. The decision comes after nine years of battles over the proposal. "America needs offshore wind power and with this project, Massachusetts will lead the nation," Patrick said.

The decision had been delayed for almost a year because of two Wampanoag Indian tribes' complaints that the 130 turbines, which would stand more than 400 feet above the ocean surface, would disturb spiritual sun greetings and possibly ancestral artifacts and burial grounds on the seabed, which was once exposed land before the sea level rose thousands of years ago. 

Salazar said he had ordered modifications to "minimize and mitigate" the impact of the project that would "help protect the historical, cultural, and environmental resources of Nantucket Sound." He said his approval would require Cape Wind to conduct additional marine archaeological surveys and take other steps to reduce the project's visual impact.

Good news for those given to a common sense energy policy!  Nine years on Cape Wind is finally approved.  Wow, it only took 9 years to reach a stunningly common sense decision!    This entirely common sense proposal was delayed by Senator E. Kennedy who has a home in Nantucket.  That rimes with not in my back yard.  The Wampanoag Indians opposition on ancestral grounds and sunsets would be laughable if it hadn't actually been taken seriously. Likewise concerns for fish, birds, and migrating marine mammals.  One wonders if it's possible for the US to do what several European countries have done and actually deploy sensible renewable clean energy resources, even if they are made by that nice German company Siemans!

In the same article this interesting bit:  

US Senator Scott Brown criticized Salazar's decision, saying it was "misguided."

"With unemployment hovering near ten percent in Massachusetts, the Cape Wind project will jeopardize industries that are vital to the Cape's economy, such as tourism and fishing, and will also impact aviation safety and the rights of the Native American tribes in the area. I am also skeptical about the cost-savings and job number predictions we have heard from proponents of the project," Brown said in a statement.

Duh!  It would seem that Mr. Brown believes continued reliance on fossil fuels must be good.  Or perhaps jobs to construct this facility don't count.  As to tourism and fishing, wasn't that studied to death without finding any negative impacts. Likewise, aviation is a bit of a laugh.  The FAA has minimum altitude limits, the lowest of which is 500'.  Presumably safe with respect to a 400' wind turbine.  You already know what I think about the "Native American" issue.  Mr. Brown might want to go to common sense camp.

This country needs renewal energy resources.  We've needed them for the last 40 plus years.  That it took 9 years to approve an entirely common sense modest proposal is simply irresponsible.  It's long past time that common sense renewal energy like wind, solar, and geothermal were a major common sense part of our energy policy.