rssGov. Deval Patrick Confronts Questions on Wind Project
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 1:51 pm
- 32 Comments
In Massachusetts, Cape Wind, a proposed wind energy project off the state’s coast, is becoming an issue in Gov. Deval Patrick’s (D) reelection bid. Wind advocates hope Cape Wind will be the first such project built in the United States, but for many in Massachusetts, the project has long become a source of frustration.
Critics point to years-long delays (it took nine years to permit the project and minor permits still need to be obtained), soaring costs (some estimates put the cost at $2 billion) and the potential for offshore wind energy to raise electricity rates for some state residents.
Now — according to The Patriot Ledger, based in Quincy, Mass. — Gov. Deval Patrick, a long-time proponent of the project, is coming face to face with that frustration in his reelection bid.
Patrick is facing questions about a pending 15-year contract with Natural Grid to sell some of the power from the project. According to the Ledger:
The contract came up repeatedly in Monday’s gubernatorial debate. Republican Charlie Baker and independent Tim Cahill took Patrick to task for the project’s newfound costs and the fact Cape Wind didn’t need to bid against other developers. Even Green-Rainbow candidate Jill Stein, the only one of the four who owns a hybrid car, chastised Patrick for Cape Wind’s potential impact on ratepayers.
In many ways the Cape Wind project is a test case for whether offshore wind is viable in this country. The Northeast, which has little capacity for onshore wind, is banking on Cape Wind to help meet future renewable energy mandates. If offshore wind does not prove viable (because of high costs and permitting delays), the region might be forced to import wind energy from the Midwest on expensive high-powered electric lines.
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32 Comments
Pingback posted August 23, 2010 @ 1:53 pm
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Comment posted August 23, 2010 @ 7:10 pm
These are not the only problems with the Cape Wind proposal. A huge problem is Dem. politicians ganging this through in order to appear as environmental progressives. From Ken Salazar on down, the theatrics and spin are nonstop. Unfortunately,the reality is that Cape Wind's siting in Nantucket Sound is all wrong. The developer wants to place it in the most productive fisheries and does not give a rip that construction will devastate people's livelihoods. He has also been contrary to the fact that Nantucket Sound is Sacred –since time immemorial –to area Native peoples. Haven't they suffered enough loss the past 400 years? Ken Salazar's corrupt MMS even sidestepped protocol regarding Traditional Cultural Properties for 5 years, when Salazar also oversees Indian Affairs. Conflicts galore — but personalized executive control. D*** it! We've all seen what the Salazar Gang does when it wants something. Given his unprecedented attention to a wind farm while Deepwater Horizon was convulsing — even doing a press conference to personally approve Cape Wind the day DH blew — you can understand why the Cape Wind project should be halted pending a thorough review. As of today, hub bearings were failing in 4 other wind farms of Cape Wind's turbine supplier, and they did not even own the vessel needed to perform repairs. One of those wind farms went online just last month. D***it twice! If Deval Patrick thinks his re-election is in trouble, then he should do the right thing and give back all the money that Cape Wind etal has contributed to his campaign. That would be a start.
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Comment posted August 24, 2010 @ 3:02 am
Deval Patrick has overplayed his hand in Massachusetts. He supported Cape Wind while on the campaign trail before he knew anything about Cape Wind. Now the levelized cost over the 15 year contract is 29 cents per kWh. National Grid pays 9 cents per kWh, without Cape Wind. This “no bid” National Grid deal for Cape Wind will come back to the Govenor as he'll ride the Cape Wind carpet out of office just as he rode it into office.
Good-bye, good riddance, Deval. The “change” wasn't for the good of the citizens or the environment of Mass.
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Comment posted September 6, 2010 @ 2:46 am
Good-bye, good riddance, Deval. The “change” wasn't for the good of the citizens or the environment of Mass.
Comment posted September 13, 2010 @ 10:45 am
The other day Gov Deval Patrick stood on the New Bedford State Pier and told a crowd of newspaper reporters the Cape Wind staging area, he hopes, was going to be in New Bedord,Massachusetts.The Mineral Management Services determined on April 28.2010 at a meeting between Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Gov Patrick the staging area is going to be Quonset Point,Rhode Island. This means that around 1000 jobs promised to Massachusetts will go to out of state! Did the governor forget about the historic meeting? I think not!
See Page 9 of this report!
http://www.doi.gov/news/doinews/upload/Cape-Wind-EA.pdf
Quonset Staging Area
Background: The FEIS describes the industrial port facility located in Quonset, Rhode Island as the onshore staging area for major construction activity associated with the Proposed Action.
This site was formally known as the U.S. Naval Reservation-Quonset Point. Following the
downsizing of the U.S. Naval Reservation-Quonset Point, the site became an industrial and
commercial park. The industrial commercial park is approximately 3,150 acres and houses
several large businesses. In addition, the site is home to a deep water port with two piers that are capable of servicing large ships.
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