Chris Harnish, M.S.

I typically shy away from political posts, but it seems many of the
people I met in Oregon are not just bike advocates, but environmental
advocates too. So, as a current Mass resident and future Ore resident I
thought I'd share this with you:

Clean Power Now Calls Stevens Amendment "Reprehensible"

Hyannis, MA April 6, 2006

Clean Power Now finds it reprehensible that a small group of
legislators, led by a representative and a senator from Alaska, could
create the means to sabotage the most significant renewable energy
project in our nation's history. Five years into one of the most
comprehensive regulatory reviews an energy proposal has ever gone
through, project opponents are changing the permitting process to suit
their own selfish purposes.

The most recent version of language proposed by Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens
gives veto power over the Cape Wind project to the governor of
Massachusetts - for no specific reason. Clearly, all the arguments
raised by project opponents about navigation and radar interference were
simply smoke and mirrors used to disguise their nefarious plot to kill
Cape Wind. This was done despite the fact that polls show Massachusetts
residents support Cape Wind by a 6-1 margin.

Until today, it appeared that members of the Senate conference committee
weighing the Stevens language were evenly split, 3-3, with Sen. Maria
Cantwell (D-WA) being the pivotal swing vote. That changed when *Sen.
Gordon Smith (R-OR) apparently switched his position and came out in
favor of the Stevens language,* for reasons that remain uncertain.

The conference committee decision must still be approved by the full
House and Senate. Whether this will take place before Congress adjourns
for a two- week Easter recess tomorrow remains uncertain.

The tactics used by project opponents to force the passage of this
amendment are the worst form of cloak and dagger politics. Clean Power
Now will continue to work with its labor, environmental and health
allies to expose what has happened and create a grass-roots outcry that
will cause this amendment to be removed from the final legislation.

About Clean Power Now

Clean Power Now is a non-profit, volunteer organization that informs and
empowers citizens to support viable renewable energy projects and
policies and to secure their local and regional benefits.

Clean Power Now believes that the timely development of such projects,
in conjunction with energy efficiency and conservation, will bring about
a clean healthy environment, improved economy and a more secure
sustainable America.

Their immediate focus is to increase citizen support of offshore wind
power in Nantucket Sound.

Website: http://www.cleanpowernow.org