The Cape Wind project plans to place 130 turbines in Nantucket Sound, south of Cape Cod. An untiring handful of grassroots organizers have waged a mighty battle with Cape Cod property owners, heiresses, billionaires, well-funded and well-organized opposition lobbying, and the likes of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Senator Edward M. Kennedy. But, David may yet defeat these Goliaths. In a few months The Cape Wind project expects to get authorization to begin construction.

The incredible case history of the early days of this project is documented in the book Cape Wind by Wendy Williams and Robert Whitcomb. It is a classic case study of how even the most powerful resistance can be overcome with dogged research (doing your homework!), developing a wide network of supporters and allies, and frankly (when dealing with a whole gaggle of the rich and VERY powerful) – a whole lot of money.

There is much to be learned from the Cape Wind project. It is important to note here that the size of this project and the wealth of the resistors made this battle an expensive one. But aside from the costs unique to this particular project, the strategies and tactics used by these grassroots activists have some major lessons for all wind activists and advocates.

Click here for an update on the Cape Wind project and on the trends in US off-shore wind power projects in general.

For information on the evolution of what started out as a grassroots campaign and is now a major agenda, visit the Clean Power Now website.

Wind Project Community Organizing: A Handbook for Community Organizers, Activists and Project Managers is a concise, step-by-step guide that can help you learn how to approach every individual related to your project armed with the right information, the best arguments, a Win-Win mind set, and your best feet forward.

Using the easy to understand approach detailed in this handbook, you will learn how to:

• identify your whole network of key supporters, resistors, gatekeepers, allies
• understand and use the Big Picture
• dissect issues raised against your project and determine how to respond
• prepare yourself with strategies and tactics to help make your project successful

This handbook will help you to find the “Win-Win Sweet Spot” among diverse constituents that can lead to success on your wind project. Take a look here for more information.

Click here to go to the book on line then click on the arrows on the tool bar to see sample pages, table of contents and the back of the book index.

Here’s a very funny video from the Jon Stewart Show about the Cape Wind project. It will give you some context for the analysis later. Its focus is on humor, but therein lies much truth.  Click here to view.