Obama Administration Approves Cape Cod Wind Farm, Defying Kennedys
The Obama administration today approved the Cape Wind renewable energy project off the coast of Massachusetts, taking the side of environmentalists over opponents of the contentious project, including the Kennedy family.
In announcing the approval of the wind farm—which would be situated 13.8 miles from Nantucket Island in the Nantucket Sound and meet 75 percent of Cape Cod’s power needs—U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said that the developer of the $1 billion project would have to agree to “binding” measures to limit the adverse impact of the construction and operation of the facility.
Salazar said in a statement that the “the public benefits weigh in favor of approving the Cape Wind project.” It would be America’s first offshore wind energy facility.
In a nod to the Kennedy family, which owns the Kennedy Compound National Historic Landmark in Hyannis Port, and to other critics of the plan, the administration cut the number of turbines from 170 to 130 to reduce the “visual impact” of the farm; moved it farther away from Nantucket Island; reduced its breadth; and cut back on nighttime lighting.
A local Native American tribe also objects to the farm, worrying that construction would disrupt traditional cultural resources. Salazar said a “Chance Finds Clause” in the lease requires the developer to halt operations and notify Interior if there are archaeological finds.
The farm is not a done deal, however. The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and other opponents have told various media outlets that they will sue to stop the project.