C. Nissley Environmental Consultants www.cnec_inc.com
Being excited about the proposed solar and wind power development is a good thing. Some of us waited our entire lives for the high level priority the renewable energy field is given now - from the President to new businesses. In some ways, it is akin to the discovery of gold and the accompanying rush - but what price is the American public paying for this rush? My career has been in preservation of cultural - I never thought I would see two of my value systems come crashing head to head. But that is exactly what happened in Cape Wind. Could it have been avoided? Yes, I think so. After nine years of environmental analysis, the tribes voiced their position late in the environmental analysis. There are a number of reasons as to why the situation unfolded as it did - ultimately ending with the Secretary of Interior's approval of our nation's first offshore wind farm. MMS did an adequate job of meeting, consulting and discussing the project with interested tribes. By the time the tribes stepped forward to voice their positions, the animated public and special interest groups opposing the project were well entrenched in the media, the Internet and other public forums. Too much publicity and politics for anyone participating in the legally mandated consultation process to be clear-headed about the cultural resource issues and the tribes' assertion of the significance of Nantucket Sound. The time for analysis of the cultural issues was nine years ago when the specific area was selected and proposed for offshore wind development.
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When I finished my environmental management training, one of my wishes was "man, I hope those equipment for renewable energy isn't that expensive". They are very expensive and I have to say that before I get to have my own solar panels by next year (still saving up for it), I probably have to save up again as their prices will go up as well.
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