Wind Power News: Maryland
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Wind-blown costs
The letter of Jan. 4 headlined “Wind power for Maryland” requires an answer. The increases in cost for electric energy cited have several causes. A government requirement that the power providers must obtain an increasing percentage of the power produced from “renewable sources” can account for a good part of the cost increases cited. The cost per installed power from wind is approximately 10 times the cost of that produced by a thermal power plant. It is common knowledge that . . .
Wind farms reality nears
PRINCESS ANNE — Somerset County farmers hoping wind turbines sprout across fields alongside crops are closer to a gusty harvest. Key support came this week from the county’s Planning Commission that recommended proposed provisions to allow onshore industrial wind turbines by special exception. “Our goal is to help farmers diversify and keep farming,” said Adam Cohen, a principal at Pioneer Green Energy that wants to build turbines in the county. “They can farm on land that has turbines.” Planning Commission . . .
Company pursues study for tower on St. John’s Rock; By 2013, Western Md. could have more wind turbines
OAKLAND — Western Maryland may see more wind turbines pop up along the ridges. The Garrett County Permits and Inspections Division issued a meteorological tower permit last month to Synergics for a tower on St. John’s Rock at Four Mile Ridge between Avilton and Frostburg, according to Jim Torrington, chief of the division. Synergics is doing an environmental wind study on Four Mile Ridge and is proposing 20 to 24 wind turbines, according to Frank Maisano, a wind industry spokesman. . . .
O’Malley wind farms face more challenges as Maryland legislature returns
The day Maryland lawmakers left Annapolis nine months ago, Gov. Martin O’Malley chided them, saying the legislature had “choked” on his signature environmental initiative: a measure to subsidize development of a multibillion-dollar offshore wind farm. The plan would have added a couple of extra dollars to every Marylander’s monthly electric bill for 20 years and thousands onto those of the state’s largest businesses. O’Malley (D) argued the costs would be worth it for about 2,000 jobs and a foothold for . . .
Somerset wind turbines find backing
PRINCESS ANNE — Somerset County farmers hoping wind turbines sprout across fields alongside crops are closer to a gusty harvest. Key support came this week from the county’s Planning Commission that recommended proposed provisions to allow onshore industrial wind turbines by special exception. “Our goal is to help farmers diversify and keep farming,” said Adam Cohen, a principal at Pioneer Green Energy that wants to build turbines in the county. “They can farm on land that has turbines.” Planning Commission . . .
State to study the big wind
ANNAPOLIS – Maryland lawmakers are preparing to resume debate on one of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s major green initiatives, an offshore wind energy bill that stalled during the last legislative session amid concerns about the cost to utility companies and their customers. The bill would have subsidized the construction of between 80 and 200 wind turbines 12 miles off the coast of Ocean City by obligating the state’s four investor-owned utilities — Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., Allegheny Power, Delmarva Power . . .
O’Malley to again tout offshore wind, but shifts direction
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley says he is ready to promote offshore wind energy in this year’s General Assembly but suggests his proposal will be less aggressive than one that failed in the 2011 legislature. Mr. O’Malley, a Democrat, hinted last week that he will push for legislation that encourages utilities to buy energy credits from offshore wind firms, istead of forcing them to enter 25-year contracts with the firms. The bill failed largely because of legislators’ concerns that the mandatory . . .
Energy rebate disguises merger’s higher energy costs
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley is declaring victory for dropping his initial opposition to the proposed $7.9 billion merger of Chicago-based Exelon with Constellation Energy Group, the parent company of Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. (the last Fortune 500 company remaining in the city he once ran as mayor) and squeezing $1 billion worth of concessions in return for his support. The 11th-hour settlement requires the new company to give each residential customer a $100 rebate within three months of the . . .
Offshore wind issue keeps turning
Maryland lawmakers are preparing to resume debate on one of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s major green initiatives, an offshore wind energy bill that stalled during the last legislative session amid concerns about the cost to utility companies and their customers. The bill would have subsidized the construction of between 80 and 200 wind turbines 12 miles off the coast of Ocean City by obligating the state’s four investor-owned utilities – Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., Allegheny Power, Delmarva Power and Pepco . . .
Garrett official wants zoning laws to regulate wind farms
OAKLAND — Garrett County Commission Chairman Gregan Crawford is concerned about how wind turbines in the county are affecting residents. Crawford said during Tuesday’s commissioner meeting that he lives three-quarters of a mile from a wind turbine and can hear it every day. John Nelson, director of the county’s department of planning and land development, provided the commission with an update on three proposed wind turbine projects during the meeting. Currently there are no controls in place to regulate wind . . .
