Wind Power News: Delaware
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.
Report maps potential environmental impacts of offshore wind energy
A four-year study of planned wind energy areas off the East Coast found that building and operating offshore wind energy arrays could affect some of the region’s most commercially valuable fish species. The report by scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was written to help the federal Bureau of Offshore Energy Management to evaluate development plans for eight offshore wind energy leases issued by the agency. Those areas, extending from the largest proposals to date off southern New . . . Complete story »
Delaware’s involvement in offshore wind energy remains uncertain
Offshore wind energy is not a new prospect to Delaware. More than a decade ago, the state was pioneering the offshore wind energy industry with a project proposal from Bluewater Wind. But then in 2008, the recession hit and Bluewater Wind, like many others, faced financial hardships. The plans for the first offshore wind project on the East Coast fell through and the topic was dropped. In recent years, though, discussions about offshore wind energy have resurfaced in Delaware as . . . Complete story »
Wind power reality: People learn while government decides
If a Delawarean goes to the beach and sees a line of wind turbines in the distance, what is the impact? Does he vow to never again visit the eyesore, or does he hire a boat to tour the engineering marvel? When he turns on the air conditioning at home, does he save money because of the wind power, or pay an extra dollar to subsidize the renewable energy? Will his children’s asthma improve because of fewer fossil fuels, or . . . Complete story »
Supporters, opponents offer comments on wind power
Residents who are opposed to construction of offshore wind turbines, as well as those in favor of them, had a chance to voice their opinions at a workshop in Bethany Beach on May 31. Currently, the only plans for wind turbines off the coast of Delaware are those proposed before the State of Maryland, which would build turbines off the coast of Maryland and Delaware to produce wind-generated power for Maryland customers. The May 31 workshop was to address recommendations . . . Complete story »
More states hosting ‘people’s’ hearings on rule repeal
Two more states have announced they intend to hold public hearings on U.S. EPA’s proposal to repeal the Clean Power Plan, former President Obama’s signature climate regulation. Maryland and Delaware will join New York in hosting a “People’s Hearing” on the new administration’s plans. While EPA chief Scott Pruitt has scheduled hearings on the repeal in several cities, he failed to set any on the East Coast (E&E News PM, Dec. 18, 2017). “States are taking matters into their own . . . Complete story »
Offshore wind power draws mixed reviews Working group to submit recommendations to governor by Friday, Dec. 15
With two proposed offshore wind power projects approximately 20 miles from Delaware’s coastline, the state is going to be involved in the sustainable energy source. The question, at this point, is how involved? Tasked with answering that question is the state’s Offshore Wind Working Group, which held the second of two public hearings Dec. 5 in the Lewes Public Library. The group is expected to make its recommendations on short- and long-term strategies for developing wind power and job opportunities . . . Complete story »
A future with offshore wind energy? Residents confront pros, cons
Members of the public spoke for and against renewable offshore wind Monday night at a workshop in Odessa. The input will guide officials as they look into offshore wind and how it might affect the First State. Residents presented their comments in favor of and against offshore wind to Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Energy and Climate at the Appoquinimink Training Center. They also heard from development officials at Deepwater Wind and U.S. Wind – the . . . Complete story »
Delaware begins discussion of off-shore wind; Maryland project would cross into waters off Fenwick Island
As the breeze turns cooler, Delaware officials are brainstorming how that very wind could benefit the state. Maryland is striding forward with offshore wind power, causing shore residents to wonder how large a wind turbine could appear on the ocean’s horizon, both from Maryland’s beaches and across the line in the First State. Meanwhile, Delaware lawmakers are remembering the failed wind project that could have been up and running several years ago. In August, Delaware Gov. John Carney gave the . . . Complete story »
First State takes a second look at offshore wind
A working group set up by Gov. John Carney began fast-track talks on whether an offshore wind farm would improve Delaware’s environment and economy without exposing electric ratepayers or tax payers to excessive costs. After the failure of the last attempt to boost renewable energy output by harvesting some of the state’s abundant offshore wind resources, the 19-member Offshore Wind Working Group is charged with recommending whether or how to restart that process. By Dec. 15, the group must report . . . Complete story »
Bloom Energy struggles loom over offshore wind talks
Delaware took another tentative step Friday toward a possible offshore wind farm. A 19-member advisory panel recently created by Gov. John Carney held its first meeting to examine how the state could participate in a recent boom of offshore wind projects along the East Coast. But not all of the working group’s members are convinced such a project would be in the state’s best interests. State Sen. Harris McDowell, D-Wilmington, warned his fellow task force members against rushing headlong into . . . Complete story »
