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Patrick and Gabrieli Blow it On Cape Wind
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Healey says project will hurt small businesses, tourism, and fishing industry
HYANNIS ““ Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey and running mate Reed Hillman today criticized Democratic gubernatorial candidates Deval Patrick and Chris Gabrieli for supporting Cape Wind. Healey and Hillman oppose Cape Wind on the grounds that it will negatively impact the small businesses and tourism industry that depend on Nantucket Sound for their livelihoods.
“Cape Wind is the wrong project in the wrong place, and both Patrick and Gabrieli are putting their short-term political goals ahead of what’s best for the long-term future of Massachusetts,” Healey said. “Their support for this project is as short-sighted as their plans to add billions of dollars in new spending that will no doubt require a tax increase.”
The project would allow a private developer to install giant wind turbines across 24 square miles of Nantucket Sound. As governor, Healey said she will fight to defeat this attempt to allow a private company to essentially take over Horseshoe Shoals to erect a power plant.
Earlier this month, Healey unveiled a comprehensive energy plan for Massachusetts that focused on energy efficiency, increased regional supplies and embraced new technologies ““ including hydropower and deep water wind turbines ““ to deliver additional energy without damaging the Commonwealth’s coastlines.
“I don’t know how Deval Patrick and Chris Gabrieli can justify handing over a public resource like Horseshow Shoals to a private developer,” Hillman said. “They are ignoring the local families and businesses that have raised serious concerns about Cape Wind and the negative impact the project will have on their jobs and local economy.”
Among the groups facing the greatest threat is the Massachusetts fishing industry. Nantucket Sound has been used by generations of fishing families, and the installation of 130 wind turbines will impair the fleet’s ability to operate in an area that is proven to have consistent, sustainable fish stocks for both commercial and recreational fishermen.
“I applaud Kerry Healey’s opposition to Cape Wind. She’s worked closely with the Massachusetts fishing industry and knows the challenges we face and the burdensome regulations we already endure,” said Ed Barrett, President of the Massachusetts Fishermen’s Partnership. “Constructing Cape Wind and adding the navigation and access restrictions that are certain to follow will be the final nail in the coffin for a lot of fishing families who have been working on Nantucket Sound for generations.”
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