Carcieri signs wind farm legislation

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP/WPRI) - Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri has formally signed into law legislation that would save the Block Island wind farm proposal.

Carcieri signed the bill Tuesday. The legislation was approved by the General Assembly last week.

“Today, we are taking another step forward in our efforts to be the first state in the nation to construct an offshore wind farm,” said Governor Donald L. Carcieri.

The state Public Utilities Commission in March rejected a 20-year contract for Deepwater Wind to build an eight-turbine wind farm because it would cost ratepayers too much money.

The bill still requires the plan to be reviewed by the PUC, but on an expedited basis so the developer can still qualify for financing and federal tax credits.

Critics including Attorney General Patrick Lynch have complained the legislation guts the power of the PUC and unfairly favors Deepwater Wind.