NASHVILLE (AP) - Republican U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander is urging people to oppose what he calls an "unsightly" wind farm proposed for the Cumberland Plateau.

Alexander in a speech on the Senate floor argued that the 23 "massive" wind turbines that Apex Clean Energy wants to erect near Cumberland Mountain State Park in Cumberland County would spoil the "natural beauty of our state."

Charlottesville, Virginia-based Apex Clean Energy says its Crab Orchard Wind project would power 20,000 homes.

Alexander is a longtime opponent of wind energy and a supporter of nuclear power. The senator said in his speech that he has voted to save the state's mountaintops from destructive coal mining techniques.

Alexander argued that the desire to build more wind turbines is fueled by "billions in wasteful taxpayer subsidies" for out-of-state companies.