"Had I only slaughtered more of these
beautiful birds before the cameras I would have won."
Posted on 02/25/2005 4:05:02 PM PST by Shermy
On the last day the public could comment on the Nantucket Sound wind farm project, the tally of responses yesterday was 3,500 and counting.
But one voice remained silent: U.S. Sen. John Kerry's position is still unclear.
In the years since the Cape Wind Associates proposal was first floated, U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy has stated clearly his opposition. Gov. Mitt Romney and U.S. Rep. William Delahunt, the Cape's congressman, have too.
But Kerry - Nantucket homeowner and the ranking Democrat on the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries, and Coast Guard - still has not taken a position about putting the nation's first offshore wind farm in his back yard.
The proposal, which would place 130 wind turbines in a shallow area of Nantucket Sound, is not just a local controversy.
The issue has emerged as a closely watched battleground in a national debate over commercial development on the ocean's outer shelf.
"His voice has probably got to be heard, especially since this is largely a federal matter," said Daniel Payne, a Democratic consultant who has worked on past Kerry campaigns.
"I would think any political figure who represents the state or communities theoretically affected by the wind farm ought to be on the record."
While some tout the Nantucket Sound project as a unique chance to produce renewable energy on a large scale, others insist the sound is not an appropriate site.
This week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the principal reviewer of the project, has been compiling final comments on the draft environmental review.
Larry Rosenberg, the Corps' spokesman, said federal workers were still leafing through the responses yesterday. Comments from Kennedy had arrived, he said.
"Kerry," Rosenberg said, "has not come up yet."
Taking his time A Kerry official acknowledged yesterday that the senator had not submitted a comment. The reason? Kerry feels that, as a Massachusetts senator, his obligation is to take his time before expressing any opinion.
"There's even more responsibility, he feels, that he does review all the comments and gets all the reports before he makes a comment," said Setti Warren.
In a statement, Kerry said: "It's critical for citizens, business leaders, and local officials to participate in the comment period, and I look forward to reviewing the results of the Final Environmental Impact Statement once complete."
Critics allege that Kerry, whom Republicans slammed as a fence-sitter during the 2004 presidential campaign, just won't choose a side.
The senator doesn't want to take a public stand that will make him appear weak on renewable energy, suggested Todd Domke, a Republican consultant.
But, Domke added, Kerry is also unwilling to oppose Kennedy, a Capitol Hill institution whose support last year helped resurrect Kerry's flagging presidential campaign.
"In this case, neutrality was politically the only course for him," Domke said. "Besides, this is what he's known for - taking whatever stand is politically expedient."
On both sides of the wind farm debate, people have watched closely for an opinion from Kerry, whose family owns a home on Nantucket.
Especially during his run for the White House last year.
Ample feedback During the fall, the Bush campaign accused Kerry of hypocrisy for pledging more for renewable energy sources but not taking a stand on the wind farm.
Since the Army Corps opened the process to public comment last fall, they've received plenty of feedback. In addition to more than 3,500 written responses, hundreds of citizens and public officials have spoken during a series of public hearings on the Cape and islands.
As the public comment phase ended yesterday, groups on both sides of the issue weighed in.
The Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, a staunch opponent, submitted an 800-page document. Attorney General Thomas Reilly entered a 41-page statement in opposition.
Meanwhile, a coalition of environmental groups sent comments in support of the wind farm, including the National Resources Defense Council, the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Conservation Law Foundation.
Seth Kaplan, an attorney with the CLF, didn't have a problem with Kerry taking his time.
"I wouldn't be surprised if (Kerry's) take on things is that, in addition to seeing the document, he wants to see comments we made, NRDC made, even the Alliance made.
"It's far better for people to keep an open mind than to pre-judge."
Staff writer ETHAN ZINDLER contributed to this report.
"Meanwhile, a coalition of environmental groups sent comments in support of the wind farm, including the National Resources Defense Council, the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Conservation Law Foundation"
Karl Rove expanding the base?
He'll be for it before he'll be against it or maybe the other way around.
Or, if I had not listened to my handlers and been videotaped proudly carrying my own kill, like a real hunter, I would've won.
Conversely, maybe I never shouldda asked "Can I get me a huntin' license 'round cheah?"
John F. Kerry and Ward Churchill, two phonies separated at birth.
That is what I was thinking. Really makes me see red to see him refered by the MSM as a "Nantucket Homeowner". He dosen't own s__t at Nantucket much less a back yard.
That is what I was thinking. Really makes me see red to see him refered by the MSM as a "Nantucket Homeowner". He dosen't own s__t at Nantucket much less a back yard.
For Kerry, it's a case of NIMBY: Not In My Back Yacht
Now there's a shocker. Even if he did flap his gums, it would be yes one day, no the next, yes after that, then no again.... Who would know?
John Kerry changes positions more often than a Nevada prostitute!!
LOL!
We could then report that "Kerry is Passing Wind"
He's seeing if his wife's cash can corner the market on wind trading before he commits to a side.
Did I read that right?
John Kerry is passing wind?
Germany has placed numerous windmills near the North Sea...and almost all of the locals are against them. Evironmentalists are the only ones supporting this measure. And the interesting thing...is that the guys who manage the stations...have to go out each morning to clear the dead birds. Apparently the giant turbines...strikes birds who are drawn to them. Wind energy may be free...but it simply isn't a guaranteed thing. You still have to have dependable energy devices behind them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.