Stakeholders React to Cape Wind Report - Kennedy Clan Still Quiet
As I reported yesterday, a proposed wind farm near Cape Cod cleared a major hurdle when the US Minerals Management Service issued a favorable report in their Draft
Environmental Impact Statement.
The agency indicated that, in nearly all of the issues they studied, the project would have minimal impacts. The report did say that some birds would have “moderate” impacts, but that those problems could be mostly mitigated. Believe it or not, the only “major” impact cited in the MMS report was the view from boats. You can judge for yourself how those turbines might look by taking a look at the image above, which is a simulated view of the turbines from Nantucket created by the Cape Wind folks (link to more below). It seems to me that if the only major problem with the project is based on… …a subjective interpretation of wind turbines as aesthetically objectionable, that there should be very little standing in the way of this project. But, unfortunately, it’s not quite that easy.
Early reactions to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement:
“Expensive renewable energy projects with risks to safety, the environment, and the local economy like Cape Wind, fail to meet the standards for federal approval defined by Congress.” - Glenn Wattley of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound
“They have done an adequate and thorough job of reviewing the potential environmental impacts with regard to avian life.” - Jack Clarke, director of public policy and government relations for Massachusetts Audubon
“At first blush, it looks like they really glossed over a lot. I feel it’s a grave error to charge ahead and make another mistake on a decision that carries so much weight as a precedent. … It’s clear the push is on … but do it where it doesn’t have an impact on the fisheries. You don’t have to displace fish and fishermen to have alternative energy. That’s a false choice.” – David Bergeron, Executive Director, Massachusetts Fisherman’s Partnership
“With public opinion demanding that our leaders provide greater energy independence and tackle climate change. I am confident that this project will move forward and provide significant benefit to citizens in this region.” - Jim Gordon, President of Cape Wind Associates.
“I am pleased to see the federal government moving forward on the review process for this important project. Publication of the draft federal environmental impact statement is a significant step for this project and indeed for renewable energy more broadly.” -Massachusetts Governor Duval Patrick
The Boston Globe
The Cape Cod Times
Clean Power Now
Cape Wind (simulated views)
[...] How a Billionaire Candy Man Fights Energy Companies Stakeholders React to Cape Wind Report - Kennedy Clan Still Quiet [...]
Are there any statistics on what wind farms and their impact on birds — is it significant, are there any possible deterrents for birds (besides death…)?
Noelle, good question. The simple answer - it depends.
There are plenty of studies that have attempted to measure the impacts of wind turbines on birds. One of the most often cited studies, which was conducted on Altamont Pass in California in the late 80s and early 90s showed that the smaller turbines with much faster rotor speeds had a devastating impact on raptors (Orloff and Flannery 1992). There is no doubt that the older turbines like those featured at Altamont can essentially be Cuisinarts for birds. Not to mention the fact that these older turbines used tower structures that birds were able to nest in - these structures have been nearly eliminated in favor of the single pole.
A much more recent Danish study investigated the impact of wind farms on migratory patterns and showed that less than 1% of the ducks and geese migrated close enough to the turbines to be at any risk of collision (Desholm and Kahlert 2005).
The wind energy industry has worked very hard to address avian wildlife issues and to shake their image as bird-processors.
It is my understanding that the bigger issue in terms of effects on wildlife is actually with bats (onshore only). Bat sonar can be disrupted by the sweeping turbine blades and they have been shown to actually pursue the blades, mistaking them for prey.