Minerals Management Service: Cape Wind OK

Update: Greenpeace sent out a statement regarding Cape Wind. Greenpeace approves, with a caveat: "While the review is positive, it does point out that Cape Wind needs to minimize the impacts to avian species. We, along with others alarmed by the climate crisis, look forward to participating in the public feedback process of this review and doing all we can to bring this important global warming solution to Massachusetts."

The US Minerals Management Service released a long-awaited draft statement today that declared Cape Wind would not harm the Cape and Nantucket Sound. And, if it did, the impact of the damage would be "minor or negligible."

More information is available from the Minerals Management Service. The draft statement is also available, but be warned: It's 718 pages long.

The battle is far from over. Cape Wind has opponents with deep pockets, including Ted Kennedy. Public hearings on Cape Wind will be held in Hyannis/Yarmouth, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Boston, and, according to the Globe, the final review won't appear until November. Even if Cape Wind would do little damage to the environment (and probably help the environment with wind power), many factors--including powerful people who don't want their views blocked--remain to be considered.

Opinions stated in this post belong solely to this Bostonist. Image of the Cape Wind cover from Amazon.