South Shore Question 4
Wednesday, November 5, 2008

APNS Statement

South Shore Question 4 

On November 4, residents of eleven South Shore towns voted in favor of Question 4, a non-binding referendum addressing future wind power developments and the Cape Wind project. However, the approval of Question 4 should not be misconstrued as support for Cape Wind.

Lumping Cape Wind and all other wind developments together, Question 4 asked: “Shall the state representative from this district be instructed to vote in favor of legislation that would support the development of Cape Wind in Nantucket Sound and other possible future onshore and offshore wind power developments in Massachusetts?”

Clearly, there is a vast distinction between the costly, irresponsibly-sited Cape Wind project and “other possible future onshore and offshore wind power developments in Massachusetts.” This unreasonable question left no room for a voter to oppose Cape Wind and support land-based wind and deep water offshore projects.

In the only local non-binding referendums on Cape Wind, the towns of Mashpee and Nantucket voted against the Cape Wind project by a two-thirds margin.

With viable alternatives to Cape Wind rapidly emerging, opposition to the obsolete project is growing. Deep water proposals, backed by enthusiastic public support, are gaining prominence off the coasts of Rhode Island, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York. Moreover, land-based wind projects have proven track records of affordability. Cape and Islands residents are eager to embrace a win-win solution that does not needlessly sacrifice Nantucket Sound and raise electric bills.