February 27, 2013
Maryland

Wind bill clears senate committee

Robert Lang | WBAL News | February 26, 2013 | www.wbal.com

Governor Martin O’Malley’s offshore wind energy bill has cleared the Senate Finance Committee, and supporters say that guarantees the bill will pass the full Senate.

The Senate Finance Committee approved the bill 7-4, on Tuesday.

It was that committee which blocked passage of the bill in previous years.

Governor O’Malley has pointed out that there are 24 senators who have co-sponsored this bill, the minimum number of votes needed to pass the bill.

The bill authorizes the construction of offshore wind turbines off the coast of Ocean City.

The bill would allow electric utilities to charge a $1.50 monthly surcharge on customer bills once the turbines are operational.

Critics say the technology is unproven and too costly.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/02/27/wind-bill-clears-senate-committee/