Posted on 06/21/2006 4:46:31 PM PDT by SmithL
WASHINGTON -- Key lawmakers have agreed to drop the idea of giving Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney veto power over a proposed Nantucket Sound wind farm, adopting a compromise that could boost the project's prospects.
The proposed gubernatorial veto power was widely seen as a crippling blow to the project, which would be located about six miles off Cape Cod. The proposal has stirred controversy for five years.
The new bill, breaking weeks of stalemate on Capitol Hill, also ensures the Coast Guard a primary role in deciding the fate of the offshore wind farm — a group of 130 turbines that would produce electricity.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., a leading project opponent, helped forge the compromise along with several other House and Senate members.
Kennedy, who has raised navigational safety concerns about the wind farm, said the measure gives the Coast Guard a stronger role in the federal approval process.
"It's a significant victory in our effort to deal with the legitimate safety concerns of the project, and I'm grateful to my colleagues for working with us to achieve this result," Kennedy said Wednesday.
The U.S. Interior Department's Minerals Management Service has the lead role in reviewing the project. But under the compromise, the Coast Guard's findings will also be critical, said Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass.
"It considerably strengthens the role of the Coast Guard," said Delahunt, who expects Congress to vote on the bill before the Fourth of July recess.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
What? The RINO wouldn't support the windfarm? Tsk, tsk, tsk, Romney.
Captain Kennedy at the helm IS a navigational safety concern...
The Kennedy's do seem to have a problem navigating things without fatalities. PT boats, Oldsmobiles, snow ski's, airplanes.....
Money sticks with money. Screw The little guy.
No, they inserted the veto provision so Romney COULD kill it. Now they're going to depend on something more subtle--the Coast Guard will now claim some technical violation to kill it. Can't have Teddy's double vision getting spoiled by those darn windmills, donchaknow...
This is typical liberal "do as I say, not as I do". The windmills are going to be 5 miles offshore. The "view" will only be affected for those on their boats who get close enought to see the windmills. The Cape will get 75% of its electricity from the project. No pollution. What's not to like?
"What's not to like?"
I dunno...maybe the family is afraid Willie and Teddy will hear the humming from those windmills and start hitting on the neighbors again?
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