By Timothy C Barmann; Andrew Dzykewicz PROVIDENCE -- Rhode Island's top energy official said yesterday that proposed federal rules for leasing offshore ocean space to wind- farm operators will not conflict with the state's own plan to select a developer to build a wind project off the coast.

By Timothy C. Barmann, The Providence Journal, R.I. Jun. 12--Governor Carcieri has selected five people, including four state officials, to evaluate the proposals for building an offshore wind farm that were submitted last month by seven private companies.

By Timothy C Barmann The state plans to award a contract to the bidder chosen by the team, pending regulatory permits and environmental studies.

By Timothy C Barmann The next step is for the governor to choose a team of state officials to examine the proposals. PROVIDENCE -- Seven developers, one as far away as Houston, have submitted proposals to build an offshore wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island.

By Timothy C Barmann Governor Carcieri says a state authority is needed to establish a major wind farm off the coast.