A Hypocrite Clan From Nantucket ...

It appears that the biggest impediment to sustainable energy sources in the United States is neither technology nor "big oil" but rather our old friend NIMBY ("not in my back yard"), at least if the recent events in Massachusetts are any indication.

A company has proposed creating America's largest windfarm by installing 130 400-foot tall wind turbines in the waters off of Nantucket. The windfarm would be located off-shore and would be spread out over 24 square miles. Cape Wind, the corporation proposing to build the giantic windfarm, claims that it would produce 420 megawatts of clean energy, enough to supply 75% of the surrounding area's needs.

The wind farm may not, however, ever be built. Opponents of the project argue against it on a number of grounds ranging from "it will be an eyesore" (even though it will barely be seen from shore) to it is a questionable move by a corporation taking advantage of a loophole in the law (even though many of the people whose views will be spoiled have probably benefited from such corporate shenanigans in the past) to it will interfere with U.S. missile defence (even though the Air Force denies that claim). The most common argument seems to be that it is an imposition on an otherwise pristine natural wilderness which is in and of itself an important "natural resource".

There are two rather surprising aspects of this story. The first is that members of the Kennedy family, including that erstwhile supporter of renewal energy sources Senator Edward Kennedy, have come out on record as opposing the development. The second is that this story, which has been developing since 2001, only came to my attention today -- and that was thanks to a clip on The Daily Show. I don't know which aspects is worse.

By the way, I am in favour of the idea of the wind farm. I personally like the wind turbine on the lake shore in Toronto and I was very impressed with all the huge wind turbines that I saw along the waterways of Rotterdam as I flew into Amsterdam airport. Perhaps if there were more wind farms, the United States would not be such a hostage to the oil-producing nations of the world. But what is enhanced energy security when the oligarchy's views are being spoiled?