RI wind farm could create many jobs

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A top executive of a company that wants to build a $1.5 billion wind-energy farm off the coast of Rhode Island says the project could create thousands of jobs.

Chris Wissemann, chief operating officer of Deepwater Wind, told Gov. Don Carcieri and the state Economic Policy Council on Wednesday that the project would create as many as 1,200 jobs to design, assemble and install wind turbines.

He added that thousands of other new jobs could be created in the manufacturing of turbine parts for additional projects.

Wissemann says his company wants to erect 106 turbines off Block Island.

He says the project is dependent on several factors, including financing and power purchase agreements with utilities that serve the state.