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Indian Tribes Fight Obama-Backed Wind Farm

Battle continues to block 130 turbines off Martha's Vineyard

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 8, 2010 4:15 AM CST
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(Newser) – Massachusetts Indian tribes and environmentalists are continuing to battle a massive open-water wind farm just as the White House is signaling its support of the operation. Groups have been fighting the 25-acre 130-turbine planned "Cape Wind" installation off the coast of Martha's Vineyard for a decade. The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe holds a daily sunrise ritual each morning on Nantucket Sound and members believe there may be tribal artifacts in the seabed. They've had the site designated a National Historic Place, which may threaten Cape Wind development.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar traveled to Nantucket Sound last week to meet with Mashpee leaders and representatives of the Aquinnah tribe, which also opposes the wind farm. "The worst thing we can do for the country is to be in a state of indecision," said Salazar. The project, which could supply 75% of Cape Cod's energy, is viewed as a test of the White House commitment to alternative energy. But Salazar said he was not optimistic he would be able to build local consensus on the project.

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe holds sunrise ceremonies on the shore near the planned Cape Wind offshore operation.
The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe holds sunrise ceremonies on the shore near the planned Cape Wind offshore operation.   (?petersbar)
Evironmentalists and Indian tribes are battling the installation of a 25-acre wind farm off Martha's Vineyard.
Evironmentalists and Indian tribes are battling the installation of a 25-acre wind farm off Martha's Vineyard.   (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" target="source">?</a><a href="http://flickr.com/search/people/?m=name&q=Torcello Trio" target="source">Torcello Trio</a>)
Aquinnah Sky
Aquinnah Sky   (©Torcello Trio)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 24 comments
citygirl
Feb 12, 2010 4:59 AM CST
Sun, are you a crazy bold head clone? Or just a pathetic excuse for a human?
EKD
Feb 10, 2010 12:54 PM CST
Once again - take away from the Indians. Some things never change.
Sundiata
Feb 10, 2010 3:36 AM CST
cityditz...thats why Crazy bald heads is saying to put the farm somewhere else...his comment says the only reason people are try to put the wind farm on this area is because it is the people in cities dont want to see them hence planning committees go and bully the native americans...you are an idiot.
Technology • Money • Politics • US

 
Department of the Interior • Ken Salazar • wind farm • Martha's Vineyard • Nantucket • Cape Wind • Aquinnah tribe • Mashpee Wampanoag tribe

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