SJC confirms Cape Wind-National Grid power deal

[December 29, 2011]  BOSTON (AP) -- Massachusetts' highest court has upheld a deal in which the electric utility National Grid agreed to buy power from the planned Cape Wind offshore wind farm.

The Supreme Judicial Court's decision released Wednesday confirms the deal already approved by the state's Department of Public Utilities.

The year-old deal was challenged by the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound and other opponents of the wind farm planned for waters off Cape Cod. They argued, in part, that the deal unconstitutionally restricts interstate commerce because National Grid didn't consider less expensive, out-of-state power sources.

Cape Wind officials argued the focus on price is too narrow and ignores project advantages, including job creation and environmental benefits.

The court ruled the state's review of the deal was "thorough" and its decision was justified.

[Associated Press]

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