SHANNON SAWYER

January 27, 2009

Although his Presidency has just begun, President Obama is already facing a tough environmental policy decision regarding the installation of a controversial wind farm in Nantucket Sound.

Obama has repeatedly voiced his support for the use of alternative energy sources. Despite this past support for the development of wind farms as a form of such alternative energy, he has been stuck with a difficult decision between his goals and his alliances when it comes the proposed wind farm off the coast of Cape Cod. Two of Obama's friends and greatest supporters are on opposite sides of the ongoing saga surrounding the Cape Wind project.

Senator Edward Kennedy, and early and highly influential supporter of Obama, has been a leading foe of the $1 billion project. On the other side of the battle, Governor Deval Patrick is a strong proponent for the wind farm. Patrick is a close friend of Obama's and was influential in his campaigning.

The general plan involved the installation of 130 giant turbines across 25 miles of federal waters in Nantucket Sound. The Minerals Management Service has stated that the project poses no major environmental problems, opening the door for the Obama administration to make a final decision on whether to issue a lease for the project pending further review by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Interior Department.

Over the course of his campaign, Obama demonstrated his strong support for wind power and stated that he planned to try to double renewable energy production over the next several years. However, a decision on Cape Wind would force him to choose sides among friends and important political supporters.

Whether Obama will potentially sacrifice Kennedy's support and political alliance in order to follow through on his plan to develop sustainable energy alternatives remains to be seen. However, it is clear that Obama's decision on Cape Wind will likely set the tone for his administration's stance on energy policy, and is bound have significant impacts regardless of which side he ultimately comes down on.

Sources:

Andrew Miga, Obama Faces Tough Choice on Cape Cod Wind Farm, Associated Press, Jan. 26, 2009, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28860081/wid/18298287/.

Posting of Earl to Earl Says, http://ebfromga.wordpress.com/2008/06/09/barack-obama-wind-power-and-ted-kennedy/ (June 9, 2008).

Offshore Energy and Minerals Management, http://www.mms.gov/offshore/AlternativeEnergy/CapeWind.htm (last visited Jan. 26, 2009).

Cape Wind, http://www.capewind.org/ (last visited Jan. 26, 2009).