| Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
Wind Power News: Maryland
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Ocean City’s firm stand against US Wind’s Offer: Integrity over price
In the serene setting of Ocean City, a storm brews not from the natural forces of the Atlantic but from a proposal that has sparked a wave of controversy along its shores. US Wind, a company with ambitious plans to erect 940 wind turbines off the coast, has extended an olive branch wrapped in dollar bills to nearby communities, including Ocean City itself. Yet, in an era where silence can be bought, one voice resounds with unwavering clarity: the future . . . Complete story »
Ocean City is not for sale
Recently, US Wind, the company planning to build 940 tall wind turbines as close as 10.9 miles off the coast of Ocean City, has engaged in discussions with our neighboring Delaware Resort Communities offering them Community Benefit Packages. The packages offer payments up to 2 million dollars to be dispersed to these communities over a 20-year period. These Community Benefit Packages are in exchange for the commitment that these local government officials would refrain from making any negative comments or . . . Complete story »
Offshore wind and the stress on commercial fishermen
Congressional Republicans are sounding the Mayday alarm this weekend to the grave challenges commercial fishermen face resulting from the Biden administration’s offshore wind agenda. Offshore wind development is placing enormous stress on the American commercial fishing fleet, which may not survive these challenges. A trio of coastal lawmakers, Reps. Andy. Harris (R-Md.), Chris Smith (R.-N.J.), and Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) will explore offshore wind farm interactions at an upcoming hearing, which their colleagues and the public should heed. President Joe . . . Complete story »
Orsted withdraws from contract for Maryland offshore wind farm
Orsted A/S withdrew from an agreement with regulators in the US state of Maryland to sell electricity from a big offshore wind farm it’s planning to build in the Atlantic Ocean. It’s the latest step for the Danish firm to reconfigure its portfolio of American projects after soaring costs forced it to take billions of dollars of write downs last year. Orsted’s executives plan to update investors on Feb. 7 on how they will reset the company after the setbacks. . . . Complete story »
Is offshore wind in Maryland, Delaware in peril after New Jersey troubles?
Following Tuesday’s announcement Ørsted was pulling out of a billion-dollar New Jersey-based offshore wind project, speculation has increased about the future of Eastern Shore turbine construction. What happened with wind projects in New Jersey? In a statement this week, the company said it will cease development of the Ocean Wind 1 and 2 projects for supply chain issues, which were supposed to be built off the coast of Atlantic City. The developments were regarded as New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s . . . Complete story »
State governors seeking federal help for offshore wind industry
A group of U.S. governors is calling on the Biden administration to help ease the “extraordinary economic challenges” that have combined to threaten not only future offshore wind development, but also the number of projects that are already under way. In a letter submitted to the White House, the governors of Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island say “inflationary pressures, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the lingering supply-chain disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic” have resulted . . . Complete story »
A costly, but necessary wind farm decision
It seems like far too much money, but it’s smart business for the Town of Ocean City to work with a consultant to review offshore wind farm plans as they materialize. The Ocean City Mayor and Council was unified this week in approving a $175,000 contract with SLR International, an England-based consulting firm that will review specifically US Wind’s construction and operations plan (COP). Ocean City’s needs to utilize the consultant’s expertise because it truly will not have the knowledge . . . Complete story »
Pentagon sounds alarm over Biden plan for offshore wind sites
The Pentagon is sounding alarms over Biden administration plans to advance offshore wind projects along the central Atlantic US coast, warning that almost all of the new terrain eyed for development conflicts with military operations. Maps shared with industry stakeholders and seen by Bloomberg News show vast red areas that the Navy and Air Force have deemed “highly problematic,” covering prime real estate the Interior Department last year earmarked for leasing off the coasts of North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and . . . Complete story »
Wind energy gets scrutiny following whale deaths
Politicians, citizens and some environmentalists are calling for a slow-down or complete halt of wind energy activity off the East Coast as officials examine the cause of a rash of marine animal deaths, but neither action nor an answer appears to be imminent. In January, the debate landed on the shores of Worcester County with the body of a humpback whale, which immediately led to speculation regarding the cause of its death. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is examining . . . Complete story »
Humpback whale washes up at Assateague Island
A dead whale washed up on the shore at Assateague Island Monday morning. The 20-foot humpback whale was found Jan. 16 in the Maryland Oversand Vehicle Area. Assateague Island interpretation and education chief Liz Davis said it’s a fairly unusual occurrence. “That said, we do see a dead whale washed ashore every few years,” she said. There are no obvious signs of a cause of death at this time, said the National Park Service. A necropsy was planned for today . . . Complete story »
