U.S. Chamber Launches Website Highlighting Clean Energy Projects Delayed by Environmental Groups

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today launched "Project No Project," an interactive website highlighting the vast number of energy projects that have been delayed or stopped due to opposition by environmental and activist groups, including projects considered "green energy," and those that should move forward as part of President Barack Obama's stimulus plan.

"The reality is that businesses in almost every state have faced local opposition and long delays when they've tried to install new energy producing projects," said William Kovacs, the U.S. Chamber's vice president of Environment, Technology and Regulatory Affairs. "This site points out the insidious nature of these groups who want the U.S. to move away from fossil fuels, but at the same time are screaming 'not in my back yard' when it comes to building not only fossil fuels but just about anything else, including renewable energy projects."

Project No Project is an interactive venture that seeks to tell the story of "Not In My Back Yard" (NIMBY) and its damaging impact on jobs, infrastructure, and economic growth. The site is designed to offer the truth about NIMBY and radical environmental activism, make government leaders pay attention to this growing problem, and help get the nation's energy program on track.

The website highlights Cape Wind, the nation's first proposed offshore wind farm planned for Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts, as one project that can't get off the ground because of opposition by activist groups. At peak generation, Cape Wind will generate 420 megawatts of renewable electricity – enough to meet the needs of 420,000 homes. Other examples include: A biomass power plant in Tallahassee, Florida that would create 200 local construction jobs and a waste-to-ethanol plant in San Pierre, Indiana that has the potential to produce 27 million gallons of ethanol per year.

"By far the largest hurdle to developing energy in this country—of any kind—is the ludicrous amount of time it takes to obtain permits and related approvals for a new project," Kovacs said. "When you factor in NIMBYs, the problem becomes insurmountable. Lawsuits drag on, zoning laws are changed, financing dries up, and ultimately projects stop."

To see where and how our nation's energy projects have been delayed or stopped, visit www.projectnoproject.com/. Users can contribute their own stories to the Project No Project website.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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