FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2010
CONTACT: Kristina Johnson, 415.977.5619
Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384
Cape Wind Decision: Huge Victory for Clean Energy
Clean Energy, Not Drilling is Right Choice for Our Coasts
Washington, D.C.--The Boston Globe reports that Interior Secretary Salazar will today announce final approval for the Cape Wind offshore wind project in Massachusetts. Sierra Club offered the following comments in response.
Statement of Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director
"Today's announcement is a huge victory for clean energy. Clean energy like offshore wind power will help create safe, sustainable jobs, and true energy independence. Projects like this one will help infuse new life into our economy and help make us a leader in the global clean energy marketplace.
"In the wake of the offshore oil drilling disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, it is more clear than ever that we need to move quickly to develop safe, responsible clean energy projects like Cape Wind instead of more offshore drilling. Large-scale clean energy projects like offshore wind are one of the best tools we have to wean ourselves from dirty and dangerous energy like oil and coal. Coupled with efficiency measures and smaller-scale renewable energy, projects like this one will create real energy independence.
"This project has undergone comprehensive and detailed environmental review and we are confident that it can be developed responsibly, with minimal impacts to the marine environment. The developer and the state government have worked tirelessly to ensure that this project is built in the most responsible location possible, and we applaud them for that.
"Cape Wind is an example of an outstanding project and we hope to see more like it. Numerous other projects, billions in investments, and thousands of jobs have effectively been on hold pending this important decision, so we also hope that this project will set the stage for streamlined and thorough review of future offshore wind projects."
James McCaffrey of the Sierra Club's Massachusetts Chapter offered the following additional comments in response.
"Cape Wind signifies a major step forward for a cleaner and greener energy future for America. The alternative is an increased reliance on fossil fuels and dirty polluting energy sources that threaten our nation’s sensitive natural areas, while coastal areas like Cape Cod will suffer major impacts from climate change. Instead, Cape Wind will provide clean, renewable energy capable of replacing 2.5 million barrels of oil per year."
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