Announcement of the soured deal came on the second-to-last full day in office for Governor Deval Patrick, who has championed Cape Wind over fierce political opposition from some in his own party. The governor has often pointed to renewable energy as a vital part of the state’s economic future, and spent significant political capital in backing the proposal. Ian Bowles, who as Patrick’s first energy and environment chief helped shepherd the offshore project, said Tuesday’s news may have spelled the end for Cape Wind. “Presumably, this means that the project doesn’t go forward,” he said in a telephone interview. The jeopardy in which Cape Wind finds itself reflects a changed energy market, in which developers bear more risk than the eventual ratepayers, Bowles said. “The risk is on the developer to either build it or not. And in this case, the developer appears to have failed,” he said. Advances in the state’s renewable energy and efficiency policies have lessened the importance of Cape Wind in its overall energy landscape, Bowles said. In an e-mailed statement Tuesday, Patrick spokeswoman Jesse Mermell said, “The future of offshore wind in the Commonwealth remains bright, as does the path for the marine commerce terminal in New Bedford.” On Tuesday night, a Baker spokesman issued a statement that hinted that the new governor would not interject himself into the contract dispute. “Governor-elect Baker believes Massachusetts must continue to pursue renewable energy sources and diversify the energy portfolio to reduce our carbon footprint, and he will determine which policies will or will not keep Massachusetts a leader in environmental reform once in office,” Baker spokesman Tim Buckley said. Photo Skaket Beach on Nantucket Sound from the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound Facebook.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 20:43:38 +0000
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