Cape Wind Conversation

MMS's "Rushed" Study

The most carefully reviewed project in the history of the United States

The Cape Cod Times has reported that the U.S. Interior Department's inspector general has issued a report saying that several federal agencies that reviewed the proposed Nantucket Sound wind farm felt they were "unnecessarily rushed".  This is a negative for Cape Wind:  Who would want the agencies to be rushed? 

But let’s step back and look at the big picture for a moment.  Cape Wind is the most carefully reviewed project in the history of the United States.  We’re approaching nine years of detailed review!  If we, as a country, have gotten to the point where such a review can be called “rushed” then we have arrived at the point where NIMBYism has won.  That is, to the point where we can no longer do big things because we can’t overcome the implacable opposition of local interests. 

In describing the IG’s report, the Times says:  “But officials at the agencies said they did not believe that ‘the expedited timeline affected their overall conclusions,’ according to the report”.

This means that we must try to do something that we almost never do in the Cape Wind Debate:  Consider matter of degree.  As I said above, it’s not a good thing that agencies felt rushed.  But what was the effect of this rush?  Apparently it was minor as the conclusions were not affected.  So, we will need to discount much of the aggressive language that we’ll hear from the Alliance.  It’s their job to exaggerate this report but it’s our job to take their position with a serious grain of salt.

An example of the Alliance propaganda that this study will illicit is the following quote from the Alliance’s president Audra Parker in response to the IG’s report:

"We should now take the time to conduct an honest and thorough review of this project that seeks to address unresolved issues, including those raised by Native American tribal leaders, rather than sweep them under the rug,".

This makes it sound like the Interior Department is not thoroughly reviewing Wompanoag concerns.  Of course, this is absolutely false.  While the status of Nantucket Sound should have been reviewed years ago, it is getting the full and fair hearing mandated by law today.  The Alliance is very sneaky at twisting the truth, and this is an example.  Nantucket Sound is receiving proper consideration.

Next we’ll hear that aviation safety is not being investigated.  Well, the FAA is in the middle of its second lengthy study as we speak.  Of course, the Alliance won’t tell you this.  Don’t believe their propaganda here either:  The FAA result is expected this Spring.

Finally, the Alliance will take this opportunity to tarnish virtually every major finding of five years of government environmental study.  We’ll hear that fishing will be ruined, navigation will be unsafe, and on and on and on.  This must be true because the EIS was rushed!! 

All of this will be wildly exaggerated.  While this report is not a good thing for Cape Wind, it’s hardly the scarlet letter that the Alliance will describe it as.