April 10, 2013
Maryland

Worcester County plans for wind turbines in 2017

OCEAN CITY, Md.-Governor Martin O’Malley signed the dotted line for off shore wind energy in Maryland on Tuesday.

About 40 turbines are set to go up 30 miles off the coast of Ocean City.

“What’s next is now the regulatory approval by the Maryland Public Service Commission and the Federal Department of the Interior actually will be auctioning off the development rights for about 79 thousand acres,” explained Bill Badger, who is the economic development director for Worcester County.

Abigail Hopper who is the governor’s energy advisor told WBOC that once those turbines are up and running it won’t cost more than $1.50 for the average consumer.

Hopper added that the plans for this to happen are for 2017.

“There are 12 companies that have expressed interest and some of them range in as small privately held companies that are trying to develop off shore winds here in America,” Hopper said.

Badger said that in addition to creating renewable energy, the development is expected to also create at least 1000 jobs.

“Those will be in manufacturing service supply and maintenance and that process is going to take time for example to build 100 wind turbines, it takes three years,” Badger said.

Some people like Margie Sicio said they aren’t sure if they want the plans to go through.

“I just don’t think it is going to make that much difference in making the environment greener and saving the environment,” Sicio said, “when you come to the beach you just want to see the water you want to see the ships running by and the view on a clear day, also when you see windmills going that would just distracting.”

Barbara Jernigan said she’s familiar with how turbines work since she lives near one at Crisfield high school.

“We see it running everyday and it’s apparently producing enough energy to take care of the school’s needs because if they are good for the economy then I think they are good for the environment because we need some other source than fuel oil and coal and electric power,” Jernigan said.

The total economic impact of offshore wind over 5 years is almost $1.3 billion.

URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/04/10/worcester-county-plans-for-wind-turbines-in-2017/

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