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.
Offshore wind topic blows back onto Ocean City agenda
Offshore wind farms near Ocean City’s coast will again come up for discussion at Monday’s Town Council meeting. Meghan Lapp, a fisheries liaison for Seabreeze Ltd. in Rhode Island, will outline concerns with how wind farms may affect commercial fishing, according to the agenda document. The presentation will also feature local fisherman George Topping. The addition of wind farms could restrict fishing areas, according to the presentation outline in the agenda documents. Lapp cites the White Marlin Open as one . . . Complete story »
Amendment urges more wind farm oversight
OCEAN CITY – U.S. Congressman Andy Harris (R-1-Md.) was successful in getting language added to a federal appropriations bill that would provide more oversight to the proposed offshore wind energy projects off the coast of the resort. Last Wednesday, Harris was able to attach language in the fiscal year 2019 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill urging the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to closely scrutinize the siting of offshore wind turbines in a pair of projects approved off the coast . . . Complete story »
Sparring over offshore wind farm distance continues
OCEAN CITY – Asserting “our view is not for sale,” resort officials recently rejected an olive branch of sorts from US Wind that could have provided free electric power and other concessions to Ocean City in exchange for relaxing its opposition to the distance of the offshore wind turbines. Since the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) over a year ago approved two offshore wind energy projects, or offshore wind renewable energy credits (ORECs) off the coast of Ocean City, town officials . . . Complete story »
A wind farm developer offered Ocean City free electricity, but resort town is still fighting offshore turbines
Ocean City officials say they don’t want offshore wind turbines to be built within 30 miles of the resort town’s beaches under any circumstances – not even in exchange for free electricity. That was among the offers energy developer U.S. Wind recently made to appease concerns that its planned wind farm off Maryland’s coast will harm tourism. The company also dangled other community investments worth hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, and offered to alter its plans if Ocean City . . . Complete story »
Andy Harris sounds off again against offshore wind off Ocean City
A house committee supported Congressman Andy Harris’ views on offshore wind in a recently passed budget bill, the Eastern Shore representative announced Wednesday. The language authored by Harris was approved by the House Committee on Appropriations for the fiscal year 2019 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. “The Committee is concerned that changes may have been made to the proposed wind farm off Ocean City, (Maryland), after review of the project by the State Public Service Commission, and the Committee is . . . 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 »
U.S. Rep Andy Harris calls for delay of Maryland offshore wind projects for more studies
A massive offshore wind development off Maryland’s Atlantic coast could put marine life in danger and should undergo further study before construction starts, U.S. Rep. Andy Harris says. The Republican, who represents the Eastern Shore, is sponsoring a measure requiring the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to spend up to two years researching the project’s potential consequences. “That is the agency charged at looking after things in the ocean so we think NOAA has to weigh in on this,” Harris . . . Complete story »
Fishing impact study sought on offshore wind farm
OCEAN CITY – While there has been no headway in Ocean City’s efforts to site proposed offshore wind turbines at least 26 miles from the shoreline, for the first time at least formally, the issue of potential impacts on the fertile fishing grounds off the resort coast has been thrown into the equation. Since the Maryland Public Service Commission over a year ago approved two offshore win energy projects off the coast of Ocean City, town officials have been in a . . . Complete story »
10 reasons to sign wind petition
Here are the top 10 reasons why people should sign the petition recently sponsored by the Town of Ocean City and advertised in their news cycle. Wind power isn’t economically viable due to the inconstancy of the wind speed. Wind turbines require regular maintenance and repairs, which necessitate the ongoing use of fossil-fueled vehicles and equipment. Wind turbines are notorious for explosions, fires and other accidents. The lifespan of a wind turbine is relatively short; only 15-20 years. . . . Complete story »
Resort officials endorse petitions
After about nine years of meetings, forums and negotiations followed by objections from federal, state, county and local officials that failed to push offshore wind turbines farther offshore two online petitions have emerged, essentially asking the same thing. One has been filed via petitions.whitehouse.gov, an Obama-era service allowing people to petition the federal government or force it to take a position or explain a policy or issue, should it reach the required number of signatures within a certain time frame. . . . Complete story »
