State seeks bids for wind farm

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The state is seeking bids from private companies to develop an off-shore wind farm.

Governor Carcieri says the request for proposals was issued yesterday.

The state wants to create a wind farm just south of Block Island that would generate 1.3 million megawatt-hours per year of renewable energy.

The wind farm proposal is part of the governor's overall goal to increase the use of renewable energy sources.

Carcieri has proposed building enough offshore wind turbines to generate about 15 percent of the state's electricity needs by 2011.  But his chief energy adviser has said that deadline is nearly impossible to meet.

Carcieri says his administration would review the qualification and experience of the bidder, as well as the cost to Rhode Island ratepayers and the number of jobs that would be created under the proposals.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)