OntheWilderSide

America needs clean energy sources that do not deplete our natural resources or destroy our environment. The nation’s first proposed offshore wind farm, Cape Wind, has passed muster with seventeen state, regional and federal authorities. The energy it would generate is considered necessary by the region’s power authority, and 70 percent of Massachusetts residents support the project. But Cape Wind is threatened by a provision inserted into the Coast Guard conference report. Please urge your representative to sign a letter indicating their opposition to the provision.

Subject: Protect Clean Energy: Sign the Bass-Barton LetterDear Representative,

Please help protect Cape Wind, a significant and needed source of renewable energy for the Northeast, from a provision inserted without debate into the Coast Guard conference report. The provision grants the governor of Massachusetts, an opponent of Cape Wind, the unilateral power to kill the project – for any reason.

Representatives Charles Bass (R-NH) and Joe Barton (R-TX) are circulating a "Dear Colleague" letter urging the leadership to delete the offending provision before the conference report is brought up for a vote.

America needs clean energy sources like offshore wind, which do not deplete our natural resources or destroy our environment. Members of the financial community contend that allowing a governor to arbitrarily veto any offshore project will dry up future investment opportunities that will lead to renewable energy development around the country.

Please sign the Bass-Barton "Dear Colleague" letter and help delete the veto provision that would short-circuit years of careful regulatory review of our nation's first offshore wind development.

Sincerely,

What's At Stake:
America needs clean energy sources that do not deplete our natural resources or destroy our environment. UCS supports the responsible development of offshore wind as an economical way to generate clean, renewable energy.

The Cape Wind project has undergone five years of exhaustive reviews. The Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board found that the project’s low cost, clean, reliable energy is essential for the state’s energy needs. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard found that Cape Wind will not interfere with shipping or seafarers’ safety and the Army Corps of Engineers’ draft environmental impact statement concluded Cape Wind’s environmental benefits are compelling.Section 414 of the Coast Guard conference report would give the governor of Massachusetts unprecedented veto power over this one project. Governor Mitt Romney opposes Cape Wind. More…

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