Whenever I am there I see signs all over protesting “Cape Wind”, a wind farm project that will be offshore Horseshoe Shoal in Nantucket Sound (off Cape Cod).
First, what is a wind farm though? They are groups of wind turbines used to produce electric power. Wind farms may contain several hundred individual wind turbines, and cover an extended area of land. The farms can either be inland or offshore.
The cape project has been fought by the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, formed to oppose the proposal because it will construct 400-foot tall wind turbines in the middle of Nantucket Sound. Nantucket Sound is known for its wildlife and natural beauty, residents are afraid that the wind farm will destroy that. But a 2010 poll by the Boston Globe showed that 69% of residents supported Cape Wind. So, why all the fuss? Robert Whitcomb, Vice President and Editorial Page Editor of the Providence Journal, argues that the battle over Cape Wind involves a powerful, privileged minority imposing their power on the majority. Robert maybe are partly right, a lot of “big names” have opposed the construction of the farm including late Sen. Ted Kennedy, Sen. John Kerry, former Gov. Mitt Romney, and businessman Bill Koch.
I personally feel that looking out at the ocean and seeing these big spinney things (a wind farm) would take away some of the beauty. I am for wind power, but why pick a place a lot of people come to visit for the view.
I also find it interesting that if this were “back in the day” there would be no controversy because seeing a big wind turbine would be considered progress, but now it is not, sort of. “Cape Wind” will liking be the first offshore wind energy project in United States coastal waters.
Interesting post. I had no idea that they were attempting to create a wind farm in Nantucket sound. I've been to both Hyannis and Nantucket and it would be very detrimental to see the wind turbines, but wind energy is inexhaustible and easily had in Nantucket Sound. The concern of the view is very problematic as well, but one can't place the wind farm too far out into the ocean because of the issues with electricity's voltage drop. It will be interesting to see what transpires.
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