In a significant break from gubernatorial front-runner Tom Reilly, Deval Patrick‘s just-announced energy and environment plan contains a strong endorsement of Cape Wind’s planned wind farm in Nantucket Sound:
I will support renewable energy projects whenever the benefits for all of us outweigh the disadvantages. I believe the Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound is just such a project.
In a press release, Patrick added that he "really analyzed the project, talked to all the sides and stood on the shore." Reilly opposes the wind farm.
Patrick, by the way, has now released four detailed position papers: energy/environmental policy, education policy, economic policy, and health care. Those who were looking for specifics from Patrick (including myself) now don’t have much to complain about.
Wow. That’s pretty cool, although not totally unexpected. And good political timing on that, considering energy prices these days.Perhaps most impressive about this move is that he is bucking a lot of ostensibly “progressive” types in the MA Dem party. So it’s not a move without risk. But on the substance of it, he’s absolutely right on.
chuckling – When I saw the headline, I saw “Deval Patrick Breaks Cape Wind Project,” which means something COMPLETELY different.WF
Does anyone know where I could get an update of what the current status of Cape Wind is? Having spent the past two years in DC I’m a little bit out of the loop on some state issues (i.e. anything that isn’t specific to Boston or the Berkshires).I’d appreciate it.
I’m impressed that Deval Patrick supports windpower on the Cape. Even Ted Kennedy is kowtowing to the Hyannis residents who prattle on about the project destroying their sea view.
Ben: http://www.cleanpowernow.org/ is the site for the pro-wind folks on Cape Cod. They have news and updates. Also the Wind Farm Blog is back!
As a Cape resident (non-ocean view) and Patrick supporter, I have reservations about this project, though not on the use of wind. Until there are specific guidelines regarding the manner, usage and payments for development of the ocean (I believe this is in process as part of the last energy bill), I’m not prepared to endorse this. In addition, once regulations are in place, I think it would be useful to have this open to competitive bidding. If it is such an attractive project and location, I would imagine that it would be in the interests of the public to have some competition in the market.
Deval Patrick on Cape Wind, in his own words, Cape Cod Times, October 25. 2005;”The project establishes Massachusetts as the site of the first commercial wind farm in the United States.”Of course, Cape Wind would be ONE of the First OFF-SHORE wind plants in the US. Was it Patrick who stated that he “really analyzed this project?”www.saveoursound.org has a “news” link that might help Deval Patrick to get up to speed on this subject, his platform.