Developer Cape Wind has urged a US court to dismiss opponents’ appeal of its 468MW offshore wind project in Nantucket Sound.
The appeal is the latest in the plaintiffs “14-year crusade” against the project, which includes more than 30 administrative and court challenges, said Cape Wind in a final brief to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Citing concerns for migratory birds, the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility have appealed a lower court ruling in favor of the project.
“It is no surprise that the case is now before this court, with plaintiffs raising an array of meritless arguments seeking to reverse the district court’s well-reasoned decisions,” said Cape Wind.
“Hopefully, this is the last stop in an endless odyssey of litigation.”
The court has scheduled oral arguments to begin in February 2016.
Cape Wind had planned to start construction this year but its power purchase agreements were cancelled when it failed to secure financing by the end of 2014.
The developer said financing was held up by extensive legal battles and it’s trying to reinstate the PPAs.
Federal and state regulators have granted two-year lease and interconnection extensions.
Image: Cape Wind
