While the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) normally does not weigh in on specific proposals for new renewable energy facilities, we believe that Cape Wind—the wind power project proposed off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts—has tremendous precedent-setting potential for the United States. Cape Wind would comprise 130 turbines on Horseshoe Shoal in Nantucket Sound with a capacity of up to 454 megawatts of clean, renewable energy, producing enough energy on average to meet almost three-quarters of the demand on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket Island.

UCS's position is that Cape Wind and other wind projects should be built unless rigorous review and study shows significant environmental impacts that cannot be mitigated and that outweigh project benefits. We believe that with proper siting, careful design, comprehensive study, monitoring, and mitigation, wind power can and should play a significant role in the Northeast region's electricity system. We have been encouraged by the findings so far of the Cape Wind project’s environmental impact review process.
 
Below are links to UCS comments, testimony, and other materials related to the Cape Wind permitting process.