Kerry will support Cape Wind if Salazar says it passed all the reviews

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) today released the following statement in response to Secretary Salazar’s approval of the Cape Wind project:



“This day was a long time in coming, but I believe the future of wind power in the Massachusetts and the United States will be stronger knowing that the process was exhaustive, and that it was allowed to work and wind its way through the vetting at all levels with public input. I have always advocated wind energy in Massachusetts and I accept and support Secretary Salazar’s judgment today that Cape Wind should go forward. This is jobs and clean energy for Massachusetts.

“Throughout this process, I’ve met and spoken with Secretary Salazar, Coast Guard officials, EPA officials, Governor Patrick and environmental leaders here in the state – and they believe Cape Wind is vetted and appropriately sited. They’ve listened carefully to all the stakeholders and I have faith in the process. The process matters immensely. This is the first siting of an offshore wind farm anywhere in the country and the first project of its size. No detail was too small to be considered, and I think it’s a benefit to know that every argument, every criticism, every worry was answered.”

“I am strongly opposed to the administration’s misguided decision to move forward with Cape Wind. While I support the concept of wind power as an alternative source of energy, Nantucket Sound is a national treasure that should be protected from industrialization. With unemployment hovering near ten percent in Massachusetts, the Cape Wind project will jeopardize industries that are vital to the Cape’s economy, such as tourism and fishing, and will also impact aviation safety and the rights of the Native American tribes in the area. I am also skeptical about the cost-savings and job number predictions we have heard from proponents of the project. Instead of forging a coalition and building consensus, this administration has created a deep division that will lead to fewer Massachusetts jobs and more expensive court battles. I am proud to stand with Congressman Bill Delahunt and leaders on both sides of the political aisle who share my concerns with this ill-advised plan.”

Ga. Offshore Wind a 'Matter of Time'
By Orlando Montoya
Updated: 30 minutes ago

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Now that the Obama administration has approved the nation's first-ever offshore wind farm in Massachusetts, wind advocates here in Georgia say, it's only a matter of time before Georgia follows suit.

Mary Hunt follows wind energy policy at Georgia Tech.

"The amount of work that has gone into this in terms of permitting has been phenomenal," Hunt says of the Massachusetts project. "So many other energy projects have not been subjected to the kind of scrutiny this project has."

Studies done about five years ago off the Georgia coast found ideal conditions for wind turbines.

Wind there is relatively steady and strong and the ocean floor isn't that deep.

And energy giant Southern Company is researching the idea.