Cape Wind developer sees "uphill fight"

[jpak]

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyid=2006-05-01T224211Z_01_N01428545_RTRUKOC_0_US-ENERGY-POWER-CAPEWIND.xml

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Developers of a 420-megawatt wind farm proposed off the Massachusetts coast are preparing for an "uphill fight" as Congress seeks to block construction of the offshore wind farm.

The Cape Wind project, being developed by privately held Energy Management Inc. of Boston, proposes to construct 130 wind turbines in Nantucket Sound, off Martha's Vineyard, to provide electricity to New England. Republican Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney opposes the project, as does Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, a Democrat whose family owns property on Cape Cod.

"We are going to fight as hard as we can," Craig Olmsted, vice president of project development, said in Houston on Monday at a panel discussion on coastal wind energy at the Offshore Technology Conference. "We've got a lot of resolve."

Cape Wind opponents include Kennedy and two Alaska Republicans -- Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Provisions to block the project are in the $8.7 billion Coast Guard reauthorization bill which Olmsted hopes will face a floor fight in Congress.

<more>

[400Years]

1. Why would these Alaskans give a shit?

[Solo_in_MD]

2. Political payback

It really pisses me off that Kenenedy is supporting efforts to block this. His credibility takes yet another hit.

[pocket]

3. He's afraid he'll drive into one

[phantom power]

4. It's a potential threat to that Alaskan's plans for drilling ANWR.

We wouldn't want to get all hasty and start thinking too hard about alternatives to good old Alaskan oil...

[One_Life_To_Give]

5. Exchange for ANWR vote?

Probably some deal where they will get support on some project they want in return. Lets just hope it's not ANWR.