Offshore Wind Wire

Massachusetts Attorney General (and failed Senate candidate) Martha Coakley’s recent demand that Cape Wind disclose its cost and profit estimates has prompted the developer to publicly defend the proposed 130-turbine offshore wind project.

Coakley told the Boston Globe last week that the power purhcase agreement between Cape Wind and utility National Grid was not sufficiently transparent.  She also questioned whether the project provided a benefit to ratepayers.  Cape Wind is fighting Coakley’s request, saying that information is commercially sensitive.

“Neither party had an incentive to bargain for terms that yield cost-effective terms for ratepayers,’’ Coakley wrote in a statement to the Globe.

“Cape Wind will provide a good short- and long-term value for consumers will help improve air quality and will create hundreds of new jobs in the new clean energy sectorm,” the company responded in a statement last Friday.  “We look forward to bringing those benefits to the region as soon as possible.”

Offshorewind.biz appaluded Coakley’s request and said the attorney general was “taking the right steps by demanding more answers about the true cost.”

The Web site includes several quotes from noted Cape Wind opponent Audra Parker and cited a report that claims the developer is underestimating the financial impact of increased rates on homeowners. 

“The report points out that the numbers reported by National Grid and Cape Wind are inaccurate … Households would be forced to pay $1050 more over the life of the Cape Wind contract when other renewable energy is readily available at a fraction of the cost.”

Maine and Nova Scotia Join Forces

The Bangor Daily News reported yesterday that Maine Gov. John Baldacci and Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter have signed a memorandum of  understanding to work closely on offshore wind research and development.