In Support of Cape Wind

Given the stark urgency of global warming, we believe that the presumption should always be in favor of renewable energy projects, unless there is specific evidence of environmental harm. The November draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) has identified no such harms from the Cape Wind project in Massachusetts and we now give the project our full institutional support.

We have a 35-year history of protecting the world's oceans from dumping, over fishing and other exploitation. As such, we do not take this decision to support the Cape Wind farm lightly. It is also our belief, backed by studies of this and other offshore wind projects in Europe, that any environmental impacts caused by installing these turbines offshore are minor, especially when compared to the truly profound impacts of global warming on the oceans, estuaries and coastal lands. From the ice pack of the polar regions to the coral reefs of the tropics, global warming is already directly harming ocean ecosystems.

We have been at the center of offshore wind development in Europe over the past decade. We have closely monitored offshore projects in Denmark, the United Kingdom and Germany. These projects have each raised a similar debate to the discussion around the Cape Wind project. The ecological concerns raised by wind power skeptics in Europe have not born out and we do not expect the concerns raised in the United States to endure either.

Now is the time to take every action available to slow the impacts of global warming. In fact we should have started long ago. Offshore wind is a big step in the right direction and can contribute quickly to a tangible reduction in global warming pollution. In addition, the avoided pollution and health impacts from coal and oil plants and the inherent risk of nuclear power make wind power the picture of true social progress. From local jobs to clean energy, this project is right for America and right for the Cape. In years to come, the people of Massachusetts will be proud of this contribution to the clean energy revolution.