Dive Brief:

• The opponents of the 420-MW Cape Wind offshore wind project near Massachusetts have filed another suit to block the project.
• The suit against Massachusetts, the project and NStar argues that states cannot order utilities to enter into power supply contracts.
• NStar agreed to enter into the power contract, which starts at 18.7 cents/kWh, as part of getting permission to merge with Northeast Utilities.

Dive Insight:

Billionaire William I. Koch has been fighting against the planned wind project for 12 years. He is the Chairman of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, one of the plaintiffs named in the suit.

Besides affecting the planned wind farm, the outcome of the suit could affect other states. Maine, for example, has also orchestrated high-cost power purchase agreements when they supported state policies.