Cape Wind seeks to jump-start power-buying talks; Nstar deal needs jolt

Cape Wind Associates and Nstar seem to be going nowhere fast in their negotiations for the utility to buy expensive electricity from the proposed wind farm off Cape Cod.

Both sides confirmed yesterday that they've only had one meeting to discuss a possible long-term power deal.

With talks apparently stalled, Cape Wind President Jim Gordon resorted to urging "progressive business leaders" to put pressure on Nstar to follow the lead of National Grid, which has already signed a 15-year deal to buy half of Cape Wind's power at rates that are double current prices for electricity from other sources.

Speaking at a Progressive Business Leaders Network forum, Gordon said he would "greatly appreciate" if any Nstar customers in the room would contact Nstar chief executive Tom May, the Boston Business Journal reported.

Gordon later said Cape Wind hasn't met with Nstar since their first and only meeting in May, the BBJ reported.

Gordon and a Cape Wind spokesman did not return calls from the Herald yesterday.

Nstar, which is believed to be skeptical about Cape Wind's premium electric prices, confirmed yesterday that it's only had one meeting with Cape Wind.

Asked about Gordon's call for CEOs to contact Nstar's chief, spokeswoman Caroline Allen would only say, "That's what makes America great. Everyone is entitled to their opinion."

She noted that none of the CEOs at the forum had contacted Nstar as of late yesterday afternoon. Many of their companies buy their electricity via commercial suppliers, not through big utilities like Nstar and National Grid.

Cape Wind desperately wants to lock up buyers for the other half of its power in order to line up financing for the $2 billion wind farm. Cape Wind is also rushing to wrap up financial talks before federal construction tax credits expire.

National Grid's proposed rate deal with Cape Wind is now being reviewed by the state Department of Public Utilities.