Lawmakers retool wind farm legislation

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Legislative leaders and the governor's office are responding to opposition to permit an offshore wind-energy farm without the approval of the state Public Utilities Committee are working on new legislation that restores PUC review.

The Providence Journal reports that the legislation also mandates additional steps to try to cut the costs of the proposed wind farm, while maintaining the timeline the preferred contractor, Deepwater Wind, has been trying to follow to line up financing and federal tax credits.

The PUC rejected a 20-year contract for Deepwater Wind in March because electricity costs would be more than double the costs of conventional sources.

The Legislature considered new legislation that would have bypassed the PUC, but it triggered opposition.