So Sampiro thinks he’s got problems because he agrees with Sean Hannity and feels sorry for a member of the Phelps clan? I can top that: as an honest liberal and environmentalist, I now have to rebuke Senator Kennedy and agree with President Bush. Ow ow ow ow ow ow, brain pain!!
Because Kennedy is being a selfish moron in his continued opposition to the proposed Cape Wind Project in Nantucket Sound off Cape Cod. Yes, Senator, the site of the proposed wind farm has some problems, in addition to “ruining” the view from your family’s vacation home (by putting a few small specks on the horizon, that is). Yes, it’s in a high-tourism area and may cause some inconvenience for fishing boats. Yes, it involves privatizing part of a public commons. Yes, it may have effects on local wildlife (although the plan has passed some fairly stringent environmental impact assessments, so I don’t think you need worry overmuch on that score).
But you know what? All large-scale energy-generating efforts have such impacts in one form or another. It’s just that most of them involve oil pumping in foreign countries and industrial docks or coal mines in low-income areas, where the rich and privileged don’t have to look at them. Like it or not, Nantucket Sound is where the wind is, and if we’re ever going to get serious about reducing our addiction to fossil fuels and their disastrous consequences for the environment and for the stability of the Middle East, we’re going to have to make some painful compromises. Most liberals recognize this and support the Cape Wind plan. Why don’t you?
Because even the Bush administration :eek: is now opposing your efforts to shut down the Cape Wind deal (see above link). I have done my level best to figure out what nefarious ulterior motive is prompting them to do this, and I’m forced to conclude that Bush Undersecretary of Energy David K. Garman is simply doing his damn job:
Shame on the Kennedys and a few other NIMBY liberals for putting themselves in a position to be rebuked by the Bushies, and embarrassing the rest of us liberals, by being unwilling to make any sacrifices for a serious and important milestone in environmental protection and energy independence.
(I note with relief that at least I can still look down on Republican Governor of Massachusetts (and 2008 Presidential hopeful) Mitt Romney, who also opposes the Cape Wind Project. Chowderhead. :mad: )
Agreed 100%. If only Bush would spend more time advocating wind power, he might have a shot at my support. You REpublicans listening? Put Washington’s greatest resource to use!
It sure does matter. If the amount of power generated approaches zero, then it’s a huge waste and a major disaster. Last I heard it was going to generate about 1% of the region’s power demands. That’s one sucky ROI.
But I may be wrong on that number. Got anything more solid than “It doesn’t matter”?
No, it doesn’t matter. If we base every objection on economics we’ll never get anywhere because it’s always cheaper to go with oil or coal. If you want clean energy you have to pay for it.
Sez here that average expected production will be 170 megawatts, or about 75% of the total energy demand (230 MW) for all of Cape Cod and the Islands.
Peak energy demand for all of New England can be as much as 27000 MW, although the average seems to be more like 25000. So Cape Wind would be supplying about 0.7% of the energy needs of the entire New England region (which, to keep things in perspective, has about 5% of the entire US population).
If it’s truly 75% of the Cape and islands, then it’s probably worth it. I don’t exactly trust Cape Wind’s estimate, and in any case I hate the idea (being that that region accounts for about 90% of my vacation time), but if even 50% of the region’s power can be provided by this Big Ugly Meat Grinder, then I guess I’ll sadly support it.
BTW, this topic came up a few years ago, and several people were waiting for my report on the pilot tower. That is, could I see it from where I was. The answer is no, not at all. Not even on the many clear days that Cape Wind claims don’t exist there. Anybody know if the thing was even built, and if so, where?
Thanks tdn. I hope you guys will excuse my ignorance, this is not really a national issue and I’m all the way over on the left coast. Is there any possible valid reason Kennedy would oppose this wind farm? I mean there were all kinds of get rich quick tax scam boondogle windmill projects out here in California. Generally all you have to do is follow the money. Who will receive the lions share of the financial benefit if this project goes through? I am not talking about some generalized benefit to rate payers. Who, if anyone, will get a pocket full of cold hard cash if this project goes forward?
I know we need to explore alternatives to petroleum, but there are a lot of snake oil salesmen out there.
Could you please cite the environmental concerns, my understanding is overall, wind farms have a much lower impact than Coal, Gas, Oil or Nuke and far less than Hydro-Electric Dams.
I understand the concern for Sea birds but overall from my readings the primary concern with these Wind Farms appears to be Quality of Life in terms of “Ruining the View”
Maybe it really is a NIMBY issue, but it’s interesting that most people that are for it are nationwide on both sides of the political aisle, and people that are against it are local people – on both sides of the political aisle.