U.S. Chamber Welcomes Cape Wind Decision

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today commended the Department of Interior for issuing a favorable Record of Decision to the Cape Wind offshore wind project.

"As America's first offshore wind farm, Cape Wind reflects the true spirit of American enterprise and a significant step forward toward achieving a more secure, diverse, and prosperous energy future," said Bill Kovacs, Chamber senior vice president of Environment, Technology and Regulatory Affairs. "This project will serve as a model of innovation as others look at developing coastal wind resources and other clean energy projects across the country."

According to the Chamber, the government must create the environment necessary so that projects like Cape Wind succeed. Since filing for its permit in 2001, Cape Wind has been forced to navigate through a gauntlet of permit-related hurdles.

"Cape Wind is perhaps the nation's most infamous example of the horrors of Not in My Backyard (NIMBY)," Kovacs said. "Over the coming decades, the U.S. will need many more similar wind projects. The Chamber looks forward to working with Secretary Salazar in providing the same decisive leadership on other energy initiatives."

To shed a bright light on this problem, the Chamber launched Project No Project, (www.projectnoproject.com) an interactive site highlighting the numerous projects, like Cape Wind, that have been delayed or killed by activist opposition. In just the last few years, 167 renewable energy projects have been stopped by activist groups, who get zoning laws changed, oppose permits, file lawsuits, and bleed projects dry of their financing. The site is designed to draw attention to this growing problem and its negative impact on jobs, development, and economic prosperity.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and more than 100 American Chambers of Commerce abroad.

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