Greenpeace: Promotes Deadly Hazard to Whales and Dolphins

So then why is alternative energy being promoted? Don't they know giant oil tankers are the only way to go?

There are pros and cons to every solution. Maybe we should just pay Al Gore's company for carbon credits, it will help fuel his son's drug habit (low blow I know but I couldn't help myself).

Where have the advocates for mammals and birds gone? To the side of for profit developers who seek no more than a tax sheltering opportunity. In Cape Wind's case, $1billion in taxpayer and ratepayer subsidies. Has wind energy delivered on promises of cleaner air? No. It's one of the biggest frauds ever perpetrated on the American Public. Enron got its start in wind energy at the Altamont Pass, CA. It's akin to the Ponzi scheme.

Jim Gordon is a former fossil fuel tycoon. EMI, Jim's company, is now trying to build a diesel-powered peaking plant in Chelsea, Mass, 100 yards away from an elementary school. This isn't about clean air, this is about tax sheltering, and perfect timing.

Letter of February 23,2005 to Col. Koning of the USACE

David Cottingham, Executive Director of the Marine Mammal Commission, a federal agency established under the Marine Mammal Protection Act on Cape Wind.

"There is little doubt that activities associated with the proposed action, particularly the use of pile drivers for tower construction will result in the taking of marine mammals by harassment."

Nantucket Sound is an endangered species habitat and migratory flyway. We have strong indication of bias in the environmental review of one of the world's largest industrial plants proposed for a location selected by a private developer.

MA Audubon has published on their Website that the largest concentration of overwintering Bald Eagles in New England is something that the public has a good chance of seeing during a tour across Nantucket Sound, they have some explaining to do. Specifically, because MA Audubon fails to mention this endangered species in thier testimony regarding Cape Wind to the USACE and to the federal regulator, MMS.

The fine for the death of one Golden Eagle, protected under the federal Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, by a wind turbine, is $500,000.00.

Mass Audubon Tours | Sanctuaries and Nature Connection | Mass Audubon
During our two crossings of Nantucket Sound, we have a good chance of seeing ... and the largest concentration of overwintering bald eagles in New England. ...
www.massaudubon.org/NH_Travel/template_new.php?id=North%20America - 44k - Cached - Similar pages

The link is broken. But, the fact remains that MA Audubon fails to disclose any financial interest they may have if Cape Wind is permitted as a permit reviewing agency. The condition of their preliminary approval of Cape Wind, is a multi million dollar contract, the Adaptive Management Plan, as published in their "Challenge" press release.

The counting of Cape Wind produced bird carcasses, and the "mitigation" of this carnage, are encompassed in the Adaptive Management Plan.

Such conflicts have led me to conclude that with friend's like Dr. Taber Allison, and Jack Clarke of MA Audubon, birds don't need cats.

Dr. Taber Allison, South Coast Today, 8/3/06:

"Mass Audubon scientists have never concluded that up to 6,600 birds, or any number of birds, would be killed if this project is permitted."

The President of MA Audubon, Laura A. Johnson, submitted MA Audubon's comments on the Cape Wind DEIS on February 23, 2005; to Ms. Karen Kirk Adams, the Cape Wind Energy Project Manager U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District
Reference File No. NAE-2004-338-1
EOEA No. 12643

"By utilizing other bird mortality data provided in the DEIS, Mass Audubon staff scientists arrived at avian mortalities that ranged from 2,300 to 6,600 collision deaths per year."

http://www.massaudubon.org/PDF/CapeWindDEIS.pdf

Follow the money. And, above all, don't attribute a soul and a conscience to the profit motivated corporate world. They'll do anything for a buck, including telling the well intended public just what we want to hear. This is about the green of money, not green solutions for the environment. Don't by their placebo, wind energy generation. When it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Thank you, Dona. Please continue to keep 'em honest.

Do we really need power that bad? Maybe we should all just do without.

I believe that the interest on the part of the "profit motivated corporate world" in wind power generation is one of the most positive developments for the environment to come along in many years. For decades we were told that alternative energy was just not profitable enough to be developed. Now that it is, and companies are starting to expand the use of wind, solar (and other energy sources) we are suddenly told that wind energy isn't that great after all. I am sure the evils of solar will soon be brought to light as well.

Does anyone else find this strange, besides such corporate tools as Greenpeace and the Audubon Society, well known purveyors of environmental destruction? Perhaps you are not fond of the corporate world, and would prefer that someone else develop alternative energy. Of perhaps you think as Rosa suggested (I presume ironically) that we dont use power. Maybe the real villain in your mind is the capitalist system. Or maybe you have another agenda. But please be honest enough to admit that this agenda is not based on a rational and objective view of what is best for the environment, including the birds, mammals and people who inhabit it.

Are you serious? This report is science based. Of course, DDT was also seen as an environmental hero at one time until the reports of the damage, to the point of near extinction, to bald eagles, peregrine falcons etc. were brought to light. In the case of bald eagles and peregrines we were fortunate enough to be able to breed them in captivity and release them back to the wild.... tell me how we are going to do that with animals over 50 plus tons. The Right Whale is on the brink of extinction right now! And they migrate through this area. If we are to have wind farms they need to be properly sited. Of all the organizations, Greenpeace should know this.

We need energy conservation first, but ultimately we will need to build wind farms and other alternative sources even if they do have some impact.

First of all, I would like to say that I have tremendous respect for the work that Dona Tracy and others like her have done to save and bring back endangered bird species.

However, I think it is important to view all potential environmental dangers from a balanced perspective. In this context, it is intereting that you mention DDT, since as Im sure you know, the use of DDT (which is still the most effective aniti-malaria agent) has recently been allowed in Africa for the purpose of combating malaria. The ban on DDT, which I support, and which did help to save many bird species form grave danger, also had the unwanted effect of allowing for a tremendous surge in malaria in certain poor countries of the world. The recent limited use of DDT impregnated sleeping nets was recently reported to result in a 40% drop in child mortality from malaria in Africa.

My point is that dramatic pronouncements and exageration does not serve the envirnmental movement well. In the present case, I am not sure which article from the WCDS you are referring to, but here is a quote from thier "Statement of Concern on Offshore Wind Farms"

"Despite being strongly supportive of the move towards renewable energy generation in temrs of the potential consequences for the reduction of climate change on cetaceans, WDCS remains concerned about the impact that these large developments in the marine environment will have on cetaceans."

Nowhere does the article talk about the potential for species extinction casued by the nosie from wind farms, although it does state that further knowledge is required on the potential impact on large mammals of these structures, including their construction, a perfectly reasonable statement IMO.

It is my philosophical view that over reaction to potential problems has actually hurt the envionemtnal movement. My comments concerning other agendas (which were actually in response to Barbara Durkins comment) still stand.

The environmental movement is divided. For many it has become "Man's" environment but for others it is a matter of balance and ecology for All species. To ignore the dangers to wildlife while messing around in the natural world most always proves to be folly. Humans seem to think they can do without the other living beings on this planet as though we are in total control and can decide what is in our interests depending on the cause of the day. The Right Whale is on the brink of extinction. And there will be no heroic captive breeding and release scenario for them. The Right Whale and other endangered marine mammals will be adversely affected by our lack of concern and foresight where the (irresponsible) placement of wind farms are concerned. You call this an over reaction? I call the the ill sited placement of wind farms an over reaction. It is called 'the world is coming to an end' and we must simply throw the baby out with the bathwater. Now that is an over reaction.

Dona - Can I ask you a favor?

I'm running for Barnstable Town Council in the 3rd Precinct of Hyannis. This seat is held by the gentleman who torpedoed plans by the Town and County to build a locally owned alternative energy production capability.

If we're going to Stop Cape Wind, we need to develop alternatives and the gentleman who I oppose is blocking our efforts. The proposed cooperative with the County was intended as a means for promoting conservation, co-generation, solar and small scale site specific wind installations. These are all non-intrusive land-based solutions which are more appropriate for Cape Cod to consider.

We have a Preliminary race on September 18th and final is in November.

If you would consider a post on my efforts on your behalf and others, I'd really appreciate it. I need your support to win this race.

Together we can develop alternatives to Cape Wind.

Best regards,

Eric Schwaab (aka Bugsy)
http://www.capecodliving.blogspot.com/