What a long, slow death it has been for the state’s first proposed offshore wind farm. But now, its proponents are finally pulling the plug.

While others in the energy industry considered the Cape Wind project dead, developer Jim Gordon didn’t quit after losing power contracts he needed for financing in early 2015, or after state regulators yanked permission for a power line connection last year.

Another big blow came later in 2016 when Cape Wind foes worked their magic on Beacon Hill. They successfully lobbied lawmakers to prevent Cape Wind from benefitting from a major energy bill, one that requires utilities to buy large amounts of offshore wind. This was exactly the kind of legislation Gordon needed. But he wasn’t being allowed at the party.