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Against the Wind

Devoted to informing people about choices for wiser decision-making concerning wind power with the hope that they might find a needed balance to pro-wind arguments, some answers to questions and information on things people can do to help
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SOS: Urgent message for Nantucket Sound

04/25/06 · 5:16 pm :: posted by Magical Eye     

It is urgent that we contact our Senators and Congresspeople today to express our opinion on Cape Wind's attempt to take over the Nantucket Sound for private enterprise.

Last weeks story in the Martha's Vineyard Gazette  on Cape Wind's backdoor amendment to the Energy Bill which gave it a no competitive bid and the Boston Globes op-ed by By John T. Griffin and Edward Barrett on April 23, 2006 which points out:

 "While Cape Wind has targeted politics and well-funded opponents as the culprits, the real issue -- and villain -- is the utter recklessness of building a massive industrial-scale project across 24 square miles of Nantucket Sound. That's where Cape Wind wants to put 130 steel towers, a location where two ferry routes and the main shipping channel form the ''Nantucket Triangle." They could not have picked a worse location." are two reasons we need to raise our voices to be heard.

And now today's Boston Globe piece "Wind plan needs airing" by columnist Eileen McNamara finally exposes the truth behind Cape Wind's attempt to discredit the opposition:

"Maybe resistance to constructing the nation's first offshore wind facility on Horseshoe Shoal is about more than the property values of folks lucky enough to own homes on Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, or Cape Cod. Maybe it is also about whether a private, for-profit developer ought to be handed 24 square miles of publicly owned federal land without having to submit to a competitive bidding process. Maybe it is about whether Congress ought to devise clear rules for development of the ocean floor before, not after, entrepreneurs start erecting fields of wind turbines offshore.

Don't Jim Gordon, chief executive and president of Cape Wind, and his investors have more financial self-interest in pushing this project than Kennedy and Reilly have in killing it? The Kennedy compound is lovely, but the value of those whitewashed houses does not compare to the tens of millions that Cape Wind will reap if the wind energy facility is built."

Read this Boston Globe piece in its entirety HERE

Read columnist BRENT HAROLD's piece in today's Cape Cod Times HERE

It seems that finally the media is beginning to see what is going on with Cape Wind's hype. Perhaps their flooding the media campaign has gone too far, raising legitimate questions about their tactics. If so, Bravo!

But back to the reason and urgency for this post:

The Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound has added a new page to their Website to

Help stop the industrialization of our Nantucket Sound. The decision is being made THIS WEEK in Washington.  It is URGENT that we let our voices be heard on behalf of our Sound and the citizens of Cape Cod who do not support the take-over of our public resource for private gain without regard for our sense of place, safety and irreplaceable natural resources.

Click HERE for a transfer to the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound to send an automatic email to our Senators and Congresspeople urging them to support the Steven's Amendment. Follow the instructions there and on the "Get Involved" page.

It will take but a few minutes of your time but will count in preserving one of the most beautiful ecosystems in our country. Please send the link to anyone and everyone you know and ask for their support. Our Sound needs us!

Let your voices be heard on behalf on one who cannot speak for herself, Our Sound, but who gives us so much.

It is time to give back.

Bless you all who stand up for those who can't.

For more information on this important issue be sure to check in with the new Sound Views blog starting next week. And right now on Neil's Counterwind blog.

p>Photo of Audra Parker of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound courtesy of Windstop.org

Photo of Moose, the labradoodle and gull-friend at Craigville Beach by Magical Eye.

 

 

 

 

 

31 comments
Blog posts and comments are entirely the thoughts and ideas of the people who write them and in no way represent the views of CapeCodToday.com, eCape, Inc., or its employees or owners.

04/26/06 @ 10:02 am
Rhode Islander [Visitor] writes:
Many thanks for posting the links Magic Eye, and for all else you are doing to save Nantucket Sound.
04/26/06 @ 2:02 pm
Magical Eye [Member] writes:
Thank you RI. I hope people will also write letters to the editors of major newspapers such as the Cape Cod Times, Boston Globe, Washington Post, The New York Times and the Washington Times. We need all of the help we can get.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
04/27/06 @ 11:31 am
ekzept [Visitor] writes:
so, if you oppose Cape Wind, will you volunteer your properties to store nuclear waste byproducts of nuclear power plants?
04/27/06 @ 11:33 am
disneylogic [Visitor] writes:
sorry, wrong handle. ekzept = disneylogic.
04/27/06 @ 12:07 pm
Rhode Islander [Visitor] writes:
ekzept,

Good thing those nuke and coal plants, fueled by urainium and coal farms, are running right now. Wind is nil on Nantucket Sound at the moment, and has been since 8am.
04/27/06 @ 12:13 pm
Wedge [Member] writes:
Yesterdays winds would have made up for it
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
04/27/06 @ 12:25 pm
Rhode Islander [Visitor] writes:
Point to be made here Pilgrim is that wind power is simply unreliable.

Conventional base load/back up is required- at all times.

Or our computers, lights, etc., shut down.
04/27/06 @ 1:03 pm
anon [Visitor] writes:
photographs can be unreliable. it would appear that those majestic turbines are about a mile from shore. but i do like the frame.

hey mag, did you bring poop bags for you dog? you do know the first thing that happens when a dog, especially a "doodle-mix" hits the water?

so that's Audra Parker from the SOSalliance. such a friendly face. did she take that photo or did you?

you do need all the help you can get.i own a house on cape cod and i thought the governah did too. but, does my opinion count? how about the 1,000plus voters on Nantucket (no one ever published the wording on that non-binding referendum-did they?), don't their voices count? at least they got to vote.

let the proposed project continue to more public permit hearings and determinations. what are you afraid of?
04/27/06 @ 1:15 pm
Jack Coleman [Member] writes:
Thanks once again, Rhode Islander, that there are times the wind doesn't blow. Truly perceptive on your part.
If wind was our only fuel source for electricity, you'd be correct, it would be unreliable. But Cape Wind would be one of 300 utility-scale power generators across New England - and the only one creating electricity from wind.
Many of the other power producers, like Pilgrim for example, are operated on a must-run basis and provide plenty of conventional base-load electricity.
You know that, right?
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
04/27/06 @ 1:21 pm
anon [Visitor] writes:
wait, i just found the referendum question, below a picture of what looks like Parker & Vinnick counting their money. I gotta go read the rest-will keep you posted...
04/27/06 @ 1:30 pm
Magical Eye [Member] writes:
anon for your and other's information that pic with the turbines is from the developer as part of the army corp of engineers DEIS.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
04/27/06 @ 1:46 pm
Jack Coleman [Member] writes:
Make that, thanks once again, Rhode Islander, for pointing out that there are times the wind doesn't blow.

Keep in mind, anon, that according to Ted Kennedy, Cape Wind's turbines won't be visible from his house, which is just down the shoreline from Craigville Beach.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
04/27/06 @ 1:48 pm
Magical Eye [Member] writes:
Hey Jack, have you been to Ted's house?
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
04/27/06 @ 1:55 pm
Rhode Islander [Visitor] writes:
Jack,

It's a good thing those baseload plants exist- yes?

Cape Wind would've produced no power- 5hrs.

See below- short article on the intermittency problem.

http://eteam.ncpa.org/commentaries/blowing-in-the-wind-but-is-renewable-energy-affordable-energy

Blowing in the Wind: But is Renewable Energy Affordable Energy?

Even though oil is not a significant source of fuel for electricity generation, recent spikes in oil prices have increased fears that affordable supplies of fossil fuels are running short, heightening interest in renewable energy in Texas. After all, it isn’t likely that we will run out of sunlight, water and wind.

However, abundant supplies of renewable resources do not guarantee abundant supplies of affordable energy. Even with sizable subsidies, renewable energy is generally more expensive than energy produced from nonrenewable sources. We rely on oil, natural gas, coal and even nuclear power today because they provide us with more efficient and affordable energy than renewable alternatives. And they are likely to do so for many years to come...
04/27/06 @ 2:29 pm
anon [Visitor] writes:
more efficient? more affordable? for many years to come? citation please!
04/27/06 @ 2:51 pm
Jack Coleman [Member] writes:
In answer to your question, Magical, yes, I have.
Yes, Rhode Islander, that baseload units exist is a good thing - unless they consume huge amounts of fossil fuels that must be shipped thousands of miles from abroad and spew pollution and greenhouse gases when they are burned.
As for your claim about how much longer we must overwhelmingly rely on traditional - and increasingly costly - sources of electricity, I'm reminded of the Japanese saying that there are two good times to plant a tree - 20 years ago and today.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
04/27/06 @ 3:56 pm
Rhode Islander [Visitor] writes:
That's a nice quote Jack. Reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw last week, "Trees are the answer."

I have far more faith in bio-mass renewable power than in wind energy. Bio-mass is something you can count on.

Here is a quote for you and other Cape Wind supporters-

http://www.sovereignty.net/p/clim/wind-leo.htm

Wind-Facts or Blowing Hot Air?

By L. M. Schwartz

“The wind power 'movement', supported by certain 'environmental' activists, the wind industry and government, to establish large-scale wind-generated electricity production is misconceived for two simple reasons. They believe wind power is exempt from immutable economic principles, and the laws of sound engineering and science."

"No amount of political meddling, government mandates, corporate profiteering or misguided good intentions and 'environmental responsibility' will change or negate those principles or laws.”
04/27/06 @ 3:57 pm
Wedge [Member] writes:
Absolutely Jack and if we start building wind farms these older plants like Pilgrim can be replaced with smaller much more efficient plants that can be designed around the wind. I have faith in the engineers of the future. I think that hybrid systems using sun and wind will be built for neighborhoods in the future. If Bush had half a brain he would be giving huge incentives for people to put solar water heaters on their buildings right now. Especially down south. I was down in Florida foor a week and saw only 2 solar water heaters on houses. Too simple even for simple GW.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
04/27/06 @ 4:02 pm
Little Fish, Th. D. [Visitor] writes:
The Japanese have many sayings here a a few I like;

A fog cannot be dispelled by a fan

Deceive the rich and powerful if you will, but don't insult them.

Even a thief takes ten years to learn his trade.

Fast Ripe, Fast Rotten.

AND THIS ONE I PICKED OUT ESPECIALLY FOR YOU JACK >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Knowledge without wisdom is a load of books on the back of an ass
04/27/06 @ 4:19 pm
Wedge [Member] writes:
This just came to me from CW Senator John McCain joins the fight!
Yesterday it was reported in Energy and Environment Daily that Senator John McCain (R-AZ) is opposed to the anti-Cape Wind provision in the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act. Senator McCain was quoted saying, "I think it [the anti-Cape Wind provision] is clearly a violation of the way we do business around here and I would oppose it as strongly as I can."
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
04/27/06 @ 5:05 pm
Jack Coleman [Member] writes:
Probably wasn't John McCain driving driving the vehicle with the "Trees are the answer" bumper sticker, Rhode Islander, don't you think? Funny how support for Cape Wind isn't limited to the proverbial enviros of yore.
Great proverbs, Little Fish, but you left out a classic - little fish leave little wake.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
04/27/06 @ 5:27 pm
Magical Eye [Member] writes:
WE will have to ask Senator McCain in Cape Wind's slipping itself into the Energy Bill was the way he believes business should be done. It is good that there is time for all the facts to be laid out. Obviously both 'sides' need to be heard not just one as in Cape Wind.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
04/27/06 @ 6:18 pm
Jack Coleman [Member] writes:
At the risk of repeating myself, my apologies for the echo, echo in my last comment about McCain driving, driving.
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
04/27/06 @ 6:38 pm
Little Fish, Th. D. [Visitor] writes:
Glad you like em Jack more where those came from;

A merchants happiness hangs upon chance, winds, and waves.

If you believe everything you read, better not read.

Better to be ill spoken of by one before all than by all before one.
04/27/06 @ 7:35 pm
Jack Coleman [Member] writes:
Good stuff, Little Fish. Another that I'm fond of - a single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle.

Looking at the photo of Audra Parker made me wonder - whatever happened to that group from awhile back, the Alliance to Remove Utility Poles Overlooking Nantucket Sound?
 [ Show all comments by this user ]
04/27/06 @ 10:05 pm
Rhode Islander [Visitor] writes:
Jack,

No derisive comments for the quote above on the wind power movement being “misconceived,” and “misguided?”
04/27/06 @ 11:09 pm
Stephen Peckham / aka - Against the Birdbrains [Visitor] writes:
Try this RI... "Pigs & goats alike care nothing for the 'opera'.

The fat lady... Will be singing soon.
04/28/06 @ 7:51 am
anon [Visitor] writes:
have you pondered this Mark Twain recently?


"Sometimes i wonder whether the world is being run my smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it."
04/28/06 @ 8:25 am
Smurf [Visitor] writes:
Those Japanese proverbs are nice, but it is my distinct recollection that the Japanese got nuked into submission by the Speak Soft, Big Stick people.
04/28/06 @ 10:37 am
capeguy [Visitor] writes:
Cape Wind got the non bid amendment because they had already spent over 10 million dollars on the windfarm studies. That money has done more than just create paperwork, its helped educate the public and move the US offshore wind industry forward. Since the oil companies get to extract oil from public offshore waters then its not a big deal to give a non bid lease for the use of Nantucket Sound for non extraction energy purposes. Companies can mine the federal lands for minerals and extract oil from public lands for almost no cost but heaven forbid if someone wants to put up windmills in front of the Kennedy compound.

I voted for the windmills before I voted against them....
04/29/06 @ 12:26 pm
disneylogic [Visitor] writes:
"Those Japanese proverbs are nice, but it is my distinct recollection that the Japanese got nuked into submission by the Speak Soft, Big Stick people."

and that means WHAT, exactly? that holding nuclear weapons justifies idiocy?

as i've written before, and with *more* relevance than your comment, so, since you are so proud of this supremacy, do you volunteer to have the nuclear waste and tailings resulting from the construction of these weapons buried in your back yard? why not?
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Annie
Honored as NY State's first Master Wild Life Rehabilitator, Dona Tracy is a Freelance Photographer, Wildlife Advocate, Writer, Public Speaker and Dreamer. She lives in Ostervile and also writes another blog called Magic Eye.

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