Cape & Islands News

Clean Power Now reaches 10,000 members

Local Grassroots org is granted standing in Cape Wind proceedings
MMS Environmental Impact Study will be focus for the next months

Who would have dared predict on this sunny, June day in 2003, when a handful of local environmentalists gathered at a Hyannis beach to start Clean Power Now, that it would grow to become the largest grassroots organization on Cape Cod.The Hyannis based environmental action group, Clean Power Now, reports that it has gained increased support in its fight for a clean energy economy for Cape Cod and has reached a record 10,000 members this month. Public hearings on the Cape Wind project will begin March 10^th, and large numbers of Clean Power Now members are expected to attend the hearings in Boston and on the Cape and Islands.

A new, people-based voice, at the table 

In related development, Clean Power Now has also been granted legal standing in the ongoing approval process of the Cape Wind project. The organization is now referred to as "intervener status" by the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board.

"This is further recognition of Clean Power now as a credible representative of the residents of Cape Cod," said Barbara Hill, executive director of Clean Power Now. "We are delighted."

Intervener status applies to those who are "substantially and specifically affected" and who the Siting Board believes are "likely to help elucidate the issues in the proceeding." Those granted legal standing are encouraged to submit "preliminary motions that they believe would assist in the narrowing of issues for, or otherwise focusing and improving the efficiency of, the adjudicatory hearing in this proceeding."

Clean Power Now is a non-profit grassroots organization committed to viable renewable energy projects and policies such as the Cape Wind project.