NORTHPORT (AP) – Experts say offshore wind and tidal power can help ease Maine’s looming energy crisis, but plenty of obstacles must be overcome before those renewable alternatives become a reality.

The prospect of harnessing the steady winds and powerful tides off the Maine coast to generate electricity was the focus of a daylong conference Thursday in Northport.

Speakers said such power represents a promising alternative for a state and a nation addicted to fossil fuels. But they said development of wind and tidal energy is being stymied by burdensome regulations, unproven technology and objections from the public to offshore turbines that might damage ocean views.