November 29, 2011
Rhode Island
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission rebuffs another bid to overturn agreement in favor of offshore wind farm
By Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, providencejournal.com 29 November 2011
By Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, providencejournal.com 29 November 2011
State regulators have rebuffed another attempt to overturn an agreement for the sale of power from an offshore wind farm proposed near Block Island, ruling that Deepwater Wind and National Grid had the right to extend the life of the contract even though they failed to file the necessary paperwork on time.
The three-member Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve a waiver of the sunset clause in the agreement.
Under the clause, the deal would have automatically expired if all regulatory approvals were not obtained by this past June 30. A state Supreme Court appeal of the contract was not resolved until July 1, when the court ruled in favor of Deepwater and National Grid.