The Cape Cod Commission (CCC) has voted to deny an application from Cape Wind for a submarine and upland cable system to transmit power from Cape Wind's proposed offshore wind farm in Nantucket Sound. The CCC's decision document notes that the denial was due to Cape Wind's refusal to allow the CCC additional time to obtain missing information that would be necessary to make a decision on the project.
‘Should Cape Wind provide the information requested by the commission as part of its [Development of Regional Impact (DRI)] review,’ the CCC writes, ‘the commission can continue with its review of the project subject to a resubmitted DRI application. The commission anticipates that some of the information it has requested but not received may be prepared for or contained in the [Minerals Management Service environmental impact statement].’ The CCC adds that it is willing to reconsider the project if that information is available.
Representatives of Cape Wind issued the following statement in response to the CCC's decision:
‘The Commission's denial, based not on the merits but on claims that Cape Wind provided insufficient information, does not square with the record. Since 2001, Cape Wind has been providing extensive information about these cables to the Cape Cod Commission and state and federal agencies. In fact, in 2005, the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board approved Cape Wind's electric cable because it found that Cape Wind would provide needed renewable electricity, deliver significant air quality benefits, lower electric costs and increase electric transmission reliability.’
Cape Wind says it will seek a method to override the CCC's ‘attempt to delay important renewable energy benefits for Massachusetts citizens.’
