Warwick, R.I. — Leaders in the offshore wind industry and federal regulators have gathered in Rhode Island to celebrate the nation's first offshore wind farm and discuss what's next.

Deepwater Wind built five turbines off Block Island, Rhode Island, to power about 17,000 homes. It's expected to start producing energy for the grid in November.

That, and the state's support of offshore wind, is why Rhode Island was chosen for the American Wind Energy Association's conference.

The group includes companies in the supply chain, scholars and environmentalists. They met in Warwick on Tuesday and Wednesday.

AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan says the industry has a clear pathway for success in the United States.

Deepwater Wind CEO Jeffrey Grybowski says now is the time to accelerate development.