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.
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US Senator Scott Brown criticized Salazar's decision, saying it was "misguided."Lets see ... Big Oil, the most profitable corporations in world history, gets $4 billion per year in tax breaks. Gasoline prices are hovering around $4 per gallon with oil prices around $100 per barrel. Coal country wingnut wants government to require inclusion of coal derived fuel in gasoline. US has next to no renewable energy policy.
"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.
Green Car Congress: Bill requiring use of coal-derived fuels introduced in US House: "Bill requiring use of coal-derived fuels introduced in US House
14 May 2011
US Congressman Mark S. Critz (PA-12) announced that the “Clean Coal-Derived Fuels for Energy Security Act of 2011” was introduced in the House of Representatives; Critz is a an original co-sponsor of the legislation. The legislation was introduced by Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). This bill would require that certain fuels in the nation’s fuel mix contain a minimum volume of clean coal-derived fuel."
...From comments:Follow the money people, Congressman Mark S. Critz is from Coal Country.
In april 2010 he was endorsed by the United Mine Workers of America, a labor union best known for representing coal miners and coal technicians.
One month later he wins the special election.
Clearly NOT common sense. Rather more likely just the usual wingnut politics of energy politics driven by big money and its purchase of Congress.
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