AG Lynch: Wind Farm Law Is Unconstitutional
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Attorney General Patrick Lynch yesterday took his opposition to the proposed wind farm off Block Island to the next level, announcing he was challenging the constitutionality of a new law allows the project to move forward.
The law sends the issue back to the Public Utilities Commission, which has already once turned down a proposed contract between National Grid and Deepwater Wind, the proposed developer of the wind far. After the law took effect, Deepwater Wind filed a new proposed contract with the PUC.
“We continue to fight against this special-interest measure and inside deal tailored to put only one entity, Deepwater Wind, on the fast track to develop a costly demonstration project that isn’t needed and will create only six full-time jobs,” said Lynch, who is a Democratic candidate for governor.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“It’s an exercise in futility that will not spur economic development in Rhode Island, will not generate much-needed jobs for our residents in a cutting-edge industry and, despite its supporters’ promises, provides absolutely no guarantee that our state will rise as the primary purveyor of affordable wind energy along the Atlantic coast," Lynch added.
Lynch said he was filing a motion with the PUC seeking the dismissal of the case. His office said the project had been “soundly rejected” after a fair hearing and cannot be “resurrected by a legislative deal negotiated in back rooms.” He said the law that sent the case back to the PUC was unconstitutional because it violated the separation of powers.
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