Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

Governor Carcieri is set to sign key legislation for Rhode Island's emerging renewable energy industry at a green economy roundtable Friday morning.

The governor will sign a bill that will allow electricity utility National Grid to set up long-term contracts to buy renewable energy. The move will help pave the way for proposed wind farms off the Rhode Island coast.

The legislation is important to Deepwater Wind, the New Jersey company behind the off-shore wind proposals, because it should attract private financing by guaranteeing a buyer for its energy.

"We have the natural resources, a willing and able work force, and now with this legislation, we have the regulatory environment to encourage development," Carcieri said in a statement Thursday afternoon. "Our state is now in the position to be a national leader in this industry."

Carcieri will be joined at the 8 a.m. signing ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, in Warwick, by House Speaker William Murphy, Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, House Majority Leader Gordon Fox, Sen. Joshua Miller and other legislators.

A different version of the legislation was vetoed by the Governor last year because he disagreed with the General Assembly on key provisions.

 Tags  Deepwater Wind economy General Assembly National Grid renewable energy wind power

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