The 'not in my backyard' debate, front and center

RE "UNFAIR meddling in Cape Wind" (Editorial, Oct. 16): How dare you folks from off-Cape try to jam Cape Wind down our throats. The Cape and surrounding waters are a natural, historic, and visual treasure. Just as the National Seashore protects much of the outer Cape from being turned into one more strip mall, what you call the "obstructionist" Cape Cod Commission labors to slow the destruction of what remains of the Cape ("Cape Cod panel denies permit for wind farm," Page A1, Oct. 19).

I work hard to be able to live on the Cape. I do not live on Nantucket Sound, but simply having this unspoiled retreat nearby is enough.

It will be tragic if this project goes forward only to find that it is economically unviable and still requires new land-based power plants for windless days.

To those who worry about the pittance of greenhouse emissions that this abomination might save, let them support efficiency-based vehicle fees, windmills along the mid-Cape highway or the Massachusetts Turnpike (where they would be in keeping with the gargantuan signs), fusion research, or, best, population control. I say it loudly: Do what you please in your own house, but not in my backyard!

CARL G. JOHNSON
West Barnstable

THANK YOU for your logical and timely editorial "Unfair meddling in Cape Wind." I agree that it is past time for the Cape Wind project to be built.

It is shortsighted and counterproductive for Cape Cod residents to oppose the project on the basis that they don't want it in their backyard. I own a house on Martha's Vineyard, from which I hope one day soon to see the wind farm in the distance. Transparent attempts to stop or slow the project will be paid for by us all in energy shortages and continued global warming effects.

Isn't it the responsibility of our leaders to help solve the energy problems we face?

Let's stop the opposition and get on with building the wind farm.

MITCHELL GOLDMAN
Newton

WHY DO Cape Wind supporters such as the Globe continue to promote the fallacy that energy the project may produce is for the exclusive use of the Cape and Islands?

In your Oct. 16 editorial, you write, "The 420 megawatts its 130 turbines would produce could cover 75 percent of the electricity needs of the Cape and Islands."

The Globe and others in favor of this project know these prospective 420 megawatts would be fed into a power grid for the Northeast and are as likely to power a toaster in Bangor, Maine, as they are to light a bulb in Hyannis or Nantucket.

TOM KENNY
Falmouth