Letter: Wind power needed more than ever these days

Posted 9/12/22

To the editor:

I enjoyed reading your article mentioning how a number of businesses and recreational activities will be adversely impacted (by the Mayflower Wind proposal, Aug. 25, The Portsmouth …

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Letter: Wind power needed more than ever these days

Posted

To the editor:

I enjoyed reading your article mentioning how a number of businesses and recreational activities will be adversely impacted (by the Mayflower Wind proposal, Aug. 25, The Portsmouth Times).

If the cable runs up the center of the Sakonnet River and be buried six feet underground, then it will not impact recreational fishing, shellfishing, mooring fields, paddle boards, kayak rentals, wildlife refuges, bird sanctuaries, private and public beaches, and more. These activities do not take place in the center of the Sakonnet River six feet under ground. They do happen in shallow waters where the cable will make land fall. Inconveniences will only be temporary.

Far more important is the fact that New England utility cost paid by citizens is among the highest in the lower 48 states. Electric rates are based off natural gas prices and New England relies on very expensive LNG imports for their energy paying prices similar to the soaring prices currently ruining the EU economies. 

Cheap natural gas is delivered by the Algonquin Pipeline built in 1957 but needed additional volumes never provided because of environmental resistance. Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine refuse to build power lines to bring in cheap hydro power from Canada. Nuclear power plants are no longer built in this country but shut down. Coal power plants have been shut down. The fact is southern New England is in danger of rolling blackouts during peak demand and soaring prices. Prices this summer are up 30 percent from last year. This winter will bring more financial pain for the entire New England region.

This region has in fact not built any new power plants but only shut them down. This has and will further negatively impact the entire New England economy as compared to a thoughtless and selfish few in Little Compton. 

I honestly believe very few people in our region understand the critical need for more power for our utilities and entire economy. You could be a big help by explaining these more important issues.

Respectfully,

Phil Bartlett

Westport

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