Wind Farm Debate

The controversy has raged on for years, ever since a wind farm was proposed by private developer Cape Wind Associates for Nantucket Sound. Those in favor talk about the potential for supplying nearly all of the energy for the Cape and Islands with an alternative, renewable, clean power source. Others object to the possible negative impact on the environment, the fishing industry, navigation in the relatively high traffic area, and tourism - since the turbines would become part of our visible seascape.

A recent report by the US Interior Department's Minerals Management Services (MMS) determined that the project's effects in these areas would be negligible. Many, inclluding those involved in the Save Our Sound organization question the report, and further claim that energy costs will be considerably higher with the proposed wind farm supplying our energy.

The MMS gave the public a chance to be heard with a series of four public hearings this past week. Citizens on the Cape and Nantucket were invited to voice their opinions on Monday and Tuesday respectively. Then the forum came to the Vineyard on Wednesday. Over 200 people attended the hearing at the high school, which opened with statements by the MMS, and those who signed up to speak were encouraged to comment only on the report's findings.

A total of 74 people took the podium for their allotted three minutes, with a fairly equal split between pro and con. Sharon Strimling of Vineyard Alternative Heating argued in favor of what would be the country's first offshore wind farm, while Tom Osmers expressed the view of commercial fishermen, whose trade could be negativey impacted by the erection of 130 turbines in the highly fished Nantucket Sound. On Thursday, the forum moved on to the UMass Boston campus. All comments will be reviewed by the decision makers.