The Unfortunate Failure of Cape Wind

Source: windpower.org

Link: What Was Once Hailed as First U.S. Offshore Wind Farm Is No More

The link above explains the downfall of the proposed Cape Wind project, which was to be the first offshore wind farm in America. The project was to supply electricity to power Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod. The proposal, started in 2001, called for as many as 130 wind turbines on Nantucket Sound. This could have produced enough electricity for 200,000 homes in the area. If passed, this project would have jump-started large-scale sustainable energy in the United States.

Source: bloomberg.com

Although Cape Wind would have reduced the area's fossil fuel emissions, it faced enormous amounts of backlash from residents of the area. People claimed that it ruined views of the coast in the highly tourist-driven area, and would also hurt the fishing industry. It also faced criticism from the powerful Kennedy family, who have homes in the area and did not want their picturesque vacation spot to be ruined. The project was delayed due to several lawsuits, and companies pulled their power-purchase agreements in 2015. This ended the push for the project.

Since the failure of Cape Wind, the first offshore wind farm has been built in Rhode Island. Although it is much smaller than the proposed one, this is still a great start for the sustainable energy movement in America. A few things can be taken away from this situation. First, that developers should consider building out of range of the coast if possible. It can also be learned that if we want to start using more sustainable energy in this country, people need to stop the mentality, "not in my backyard." We cannot push for renewable energy, and then change our minds if the opportunity arises for it to become possible in our area. There has to a compromise between environmental and aesthetic values. 

References: Eckhouse, Brian, and Joe Ryan. “What Was Once Hailed as First U.S. Offshore Wind Farm Is No More.” Bloomberg.com, Bloomberg, 1 Dec. 2017.