Chamber Documents NIMBY-Stalled Energy Projects

 
More than 300 much-needed energy projects – including job-producing and CO2-reducing clean energy projects – have been delayed or stopped due to opposition by environmental and activist groups, according to a new U.S. Chamber Web site.

The Chamber's "Project No Project" Web site highlights renewable, natural gas, nuclear and transmission projects in 31 states that have been held up by "green tape" and activist groups. "These 'Not In My Back Yard' folks, or NIMBYs as they are called, block energy projects by organizing local opposition, changing zoning laws, opposing permits, filing lawsuits, and bleeding projects dry of their financing," according to the Web site.

"The reality is that businesses in almost every state have faced local opposition and long delays when they've tried to install new energy-producing projects," says William Kovacs, the Chamber's vice president of Environment, Technology and Regulatory Affairs. "This Web site points out the insidious nature of groups that want the U.S. to move away from fossil fuels, but at the same time are screaming 'not in my back yard' when it comes to not only fossil fuel projects, but just about anything else, including renewable energy projects."

To see where and how energy projects have been delayed or stopped, or to contribute your own NIMBY story, visit www.projectnoproject.com/.