For those who have a habit of questioning renewable portfolio standards (and whether or not they can be reached), look no further than Rhode Island.

Yesterday afternoon, Governor Donald Carcieri announced that Deepwater Wind now expects to begin construction next year on an offshore wind farm that will generate about 1.3 million megawatt-hours a year. That's roughly 15 percent of the state's electricity use.

Not only will this wind farm quickly help the Governor reach his 20 percent renewable energy goal, but it will also help the local economy. As part of the deal, Deepwater will establish a regional development office in the state, and build a manufacturing facility in Quonset that will create up to 800 jobs with annual wages of $60 million.

Operations are expected to start in mid-2012.

According to researchers at the University of Delaware and Stanford University, the aquatic region from Massachusetts to North Carolina could produce 330 gigawatts - or enough power to supply over 40 million homes.

Jeff