Three Massachusetts House Committee chairmen have called upon the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to expedite the review of, and to approve the long-term power purchase contracts for, Cape Wind filed by National Grid. The letter also stated that Massachusetts would gain the 'first-mover' advantage by being home to theU.S.'s first offshore wind farm.
Signing the letter was Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Chairman Barry R. Finegold; House Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change Chairman Frank Smizik; Senate Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Chairman Mark C. Montigny; and Rep. Matthew Patrick, who represents the communities on Cape Cod that will be located closest to the offshore wind farm on Horseshoe Shoal.
In related news, Wal-Mart has expressed concern over the cost of power that would come from Cape Wind, the Boston Globe reports. High prices set by Cape Wind's contract to sell electricity would lead to higher costs for the retailer, Wal-Mart said in filings with state regulators, according to the Boston Globe.
Wal-Mart ‘supports the intent of the Cape Wind project,'' but questions National Grid's cost estimates, as well as how those costs will be passed on to customers, says Bill Wertz, a spokesperson for the retailer.
SOURCES: Cape Wind, The Boston Globe
