2008 Woodie Awards
Wind-ow of opportunity shut by
Amy Cohen
Issue date: 4/5/07 Section: Op/Ed
- Page 1 of 1
Finally, there is a new proposal that not only cuts energy costs but also keeps the environment clean, too. It comes in the form of wind energy off of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Naturally, however, all good things come with extreme opposition. This time, the opposing force is the state's Senior Democratic Senator, Edward Kennedy.
The Cape Wind Project would construct a wind farm six miles offshore from Cape Cod in the Nantucket Sound. The farm would consist of 130 turbines, each 440 feet high, which look like huge windmills. The project stands to be completed by 2010. If constructed, the turbines would supply almost 80% of the power to Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod. It would also reduce carbon emissions equivalent to taking 175,000 cars off of the road each year. Also, the project would be in compliance with all of Massachusetts's state environmental and maritime laws.
Currently, there are no wind farms in American waters, but there are proposals to build them in Texas, New Jersey, Delaware and numerous other coastal states. Interest in this clean power source came about when the global community saw its positive impact in countries like Denmark. The Cape Wind project, if completed, would set an important precedent for the nation in terms of taking steps to enact renewable energy sources that would, as a result, lessen the need for energy dependence on more polluting sources such as gasoline and coal.
The extreme opposition to this program comes from an unlikely source. Senator Edward Kennedy (of the Kennedy family) resides on one of the closest shores in Cape Cod to this would-be environmental energy project. He claims that if built, he'd be able to see the turbines, which are six miles off shore, from his back porch and claims that they would essentially create an eye sore. Basically, he's vetoed the program on the basis that he doesn't want the turbines in his backyard.
Ironically, Senator Kennedy has declared numerous times in his platform that he is a huge proponent of achieving energy independence and protecting the environment. In fact, this cause is one of seven major issues on his political agenda, as stated on the home page of the Senator's website. Kennedy's camp has attempted to ensure his constituents that his opposition to the program lies not with its aesthetic misgivings, but instead with the safety, economic, maritime and environmental hazards the wind farm would bring. Local republicans have thrown their support behind Kennedy, saying that in addition to environmental concerns, the project would also receive enormous amounts of money in the form of federal subsidies and interfere with aircraft radar.
Though it is admirable that the people of Massachusetts have elected such an environmentally conscious senator, Kennedy has been extremely hypocritical. Unfortunately, when push comes to shove, Kennedy seems to favor his own personal interests and expensive scenic views over the wellbeing of his constituents in terms of environmental and energy policy. In order to have effective congressmen, we need to be able to elect a senator who is responsible to his constituents in the form of turning his platform into policy.
The Cape Wind Project would construct a wind farm six miles offshore from Cape Cod in the Nantucket Sound. The farm would consist of 130 turbines, each 440 feet high, which look like huge windmills. The project stands to be completed by 2010. If constructed, the turbines would supply almost 80% of the power to Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod. It would also reduce carbon emissions equivalent to taking 175,000 cars off of the road each year. Also, the project would be in compliance with all of Massachusetts's state environmental and maritime laws.
Currently, there are no wind farms in American waters, but there are proposals to build them in Texas, New Jersey, Delaware and numerous other coastal states. Interest in this clean power source came about when the global community saw its positive impact in countries like Denmark. The Cape Wind project, if completed, would set an important precedent for the nation in terms of taking steps to enact renewable energy sources that would, as a result, lessen the need for energy dependence on more polluting sources such as gasoline and coal.
The extreme opposition to this program comes from an unlikely source. Senator Edward Kennedy (of the Kennedy family) resides on one of the closest shores in Cape Cod to this would-be environmental energy project. He claims that if built, he'd be able to see the turbines, which are six miles off shore, from his back porch and claims that they would essentially create an eye sore. Basically, he's vetoed the program on the basis that he doesn't want the turbines in his backyard.
Ironically, Senator Kennedy has declared numerous times in his platform that he is a huge proponent of achieving energy independence and protecting the environment. In fact, this cause is one of seven major issues on his political agenda, as stated on the home page of the Senator's website. Kennedy's camp has attempted to ensure his constituents that his opposition to the program lies not with its aesthetic misgivings, but instead with the safety, economic, maritime and environmental hazards the wind farm would bring. Local republicans have thrown their support behind Kennedy, saying that in addition to environmental concerns, the project would also receive enormous amounts of money in the form of federal subsidies and interfere with aircraft radar.
Though it is admirable that the people of Massachusetts have elected such an environmentally conscious senator, Kennedy has been extremely hypocritical. Unfortunately, when push comes to shove, Kennedy seems to favor his own personal interests and expensive scenic views over the wellbeing of his constituents in terms of environmental and energy policy. In order to have effective congressmen, we need to be able to elect a senator who is responsible to his constituents in the form of turning his platform into policy.