Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Alliance makes a stretch …

By

… of exactly 2.3km.

The Department of Defense recently issued a report that Cape Wind would indeed be outside an area that could potentially interfere with “early warning” radar systems, known as PAVE PAWS. But that doesn’t stop the anti-Cape Wind group, the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, from declaring that the report “Confirms Wind Turbine Threat to Missile Defense” (!!!):

This completed study calls for the establishment of offset zones around the two missile defense radar systems.  The report recommends a zone of approximately 25 km around the radar, which places the boundary right at the edge of Cape Wind?s proposed site in Nantucket Sound and leaves no margin for error. ?Given the national security implications of Cape Wind?s location right up against DOD?s proposed offset zone, siting a project like Cape Wind on Horseshoe Shoal in Nantucket Sound, just 27.3 km from PAVE PAWS, is simply too close for comfort. Why take chances on national security when we can eliminate the risk by siting this project elsewhere?? said Alliance President and CEO Charles Vinick.

Got that? Outside the boundary = still too close. 2.3km = “no margin for error”.

Too bad, Alliance. Missed it by that much.

(Hat tip to Grist.)

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Comments

  1. After having done a bit of cursory research, it appears that Cape Wind will not be paying royalties to Massachusetts for the privilege of siting its windmill farm in Nantucket Sound.  Oil extraction companies generally pay royalties based on the oil that they extract. 

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    The question that I have is whether or not the windmill farm will be subject to Massachusetts property tax.  Obviously, the Cape Wind project will be subject to MA state income tax.  If the windmill farm will be subject to MA property tax, which town will reap the benefits?

    • Oil rigs ruin the area they inhabit with pollution and waste.  Offshore windmills don’t pollute the water, with the exception of the oil that lubricates it leaking, and, as shown by the Dutch Windfarms, actually causing growth in marine population. 

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      I would think that Cape Wind used this argument to get out of paying oil-company-like royalties.

    • According to the Conservation Law Foundation (quoted at Cape Wind’s site)

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      The Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 finally established requirements for royalty payments by wind energy projects in federal waters. While the Act ensured that the two pending offshore wind proposals – Cape Wind and another project off Long Island – could proceed with their review rather than start again from scratch, Cape Wind was not exempted from paying royalties equivalent to those that will be required for any other approved wind farm sited in federal waters. Cape Wind, which stands ready to pay these royalties, has no financial edge over other wind developers.

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      So, it depends on whether other wind developers are paying royalties or not.

      • …as I said, it was a cursory review of a couple of web pages.

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        What entity would received the royalties, MA, a town, or the federal government?

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        The only reason I raised the property taxes was the controversy here a few weeks ago regarding the issue regarding telephone poles not being subject to property taxation.

        • it should be tUS gov’t, because the turbines are in Federal water.  The only exception to this is if Congress decides to give some percentage of the receipts to the state.  LA et al are trying to get a larger share for states based on oil and natural gas; I think it’s a bad idea but they’re trying for it.

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          In any case, the turbines will be tethered to land — the electrons have to flow after all.  The cabling will be on state land, and I would expect the Cape Wind project [or some other electrical utility-type company!] will have to pay property tax on the electrical wires connecting the turbines to the grid.

    • Raj, Cape Wind would be in federal waters and any royalties would be due to the USA, not Massachusetts or Hyannis.

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      No property taxes.

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      By the way, if the royalties are on the same scale as those required of mining companies they will be small.

  2. Ted Kennedy and his prat boy (Wm. Delahunt) are bound and determined that this goes down the toilet, by any and all means necessary. (In Delahunt’s case that means some unfortunate’s could be dealt with with “extreme prejudice”
    Ask Phil Johnston.

  3. My understanding has always been that the town where the project makes landfall will be allowed to charge business excise tax, as if an energy facility were sited there.  Perhpas not for the total value, but for the portion which is in its borders.

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    The fortunate community in question is Yarmouth, which has already been promised $7 million in remediation money for work to hook the turbines up with the power grid there.

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