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Sen. Kirk Urges Wind Farm Delay

Massachusetts Senator Paul Kirk is drawing criticism from supporters of the Cape Wind Project after asking President Obama to delay federal approval for construction of 130 wind turbines in Nantucket Sound.

In a letter to the President, Kirk argued that approval of the project would be premature until a federal panel issues broad guidelines on the use of U.S. waters.

Kirk's stance places him at odds with Governor Deval Patrick, who appointed Kirk to the senate after the death of Ted Kennedy.

Cape Wind spokesman, Mark Rodgers said the project has already undergone eight years of review.

"The site..has been fully vetted..it will deliver a lot of environmental and economic impact..very little in the way of negative impact."

Audra Parker is the executive director of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound. She supports Kirk's position.

"The fact that they have been going through a lengthy review really underscores two things. One, there were no relegulations in place when they first started and secondly the project is so rife with conflicts."

Meanwhile, Massachusetts Congressman Edward Markey has asked the president to approve the project before the United Nations' climate change conference next month.

This program aired on November 28, 2009. The audio for this program is not available.

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