Date of Award

Spring 2023

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Major

Public Policy and Law

First Advisor

Adrienne Fulco

Second Advisor

Lori DiBella

Abstract

Cape Wind was the first proposed offshore wind farm in the United States, but it was never built. Proposed in 2001 and canceled in 2017, Cape Wind fought against well-funded opposition groups who used the regulatory and permitting process to create legal battles every step of the way. The Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, which was composed largely of members of the 1% who owned ocean property off the coast of Cape Cod which was where the wind farm was proposed, contributed millions of dollars to ensure that Cape Wind was never built. During public meetings to discuss Cape Wind, the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound used local and national politicians to take up time that was reserved for the public comment as a tactic to try and suppress support. Additionally, there were a variety of Environmental Impact Statements and review processes that Cape Wind needed to pass to begin construction on the turbines, and the Alliance used these regulations to sue Cape Wind and the federal agencies supporting Cape Wind as a means to delay the project. This thesis examines the tactics used by the Alliance to delay and eventually cancel the construction of Cape Wind. It further links these tactics to practices that are utilized to cancel environmentally friendly projects or fund projects that are harmful to the environment, despite public opinion.

Comments

Senior thesis completed at Trinity College, Hartford CT for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Law.

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