Feds Seek Offshore Wind Developers In Mass. Area

Federal regulators are looking for offshore wind developers in a redrawn area off Massachusetts they say is a prime spot for wind farms.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management originally proposed a bigger area south of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket in late 2010. But after objections from some groups, including fishermen who'd be affected by fields of turbines, they cut the area by more than half, to about 850,000 acres.

On Friday, federal officials said it's all part of a national effort to speed up offshore wind development by dealing with potential obstacles up front.

Developers who express interest in building in new wind energy area can win exclusive rights to build inside it. That could help them attract financing and ultimately speed up development of the new offshore industry.