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.
City Council supports online wind farm petition efforts
OCEAN CITY – For the first time in the prolonged battle over the distance of the proposed wind turbines off the coast of Ocean City, resort officials are getting tangible support from residents and visitors characterized this week as the “sleeping giant.” Since the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) about a year ago approved two offshore wind energy projects off the coast of Ocean City, town officials have been in a prolonged battle to have the two approved companies place the . . . Complete story »
Ocean City residents create petition to push back location of off shore wind turbines
OCEAN CITY, MD. – Residents in Ocean City are making it clear that they’re prepared to fight for their skyline. As the offshore wind project continues to inch closer to taking off they’re looking to take their issues to the White House in hopes of finally seeing a change, but they need the support of 100,000 people to do so. “I’m usually a quiet person but when I have to speak up for something that’s wrong I do,” said Ocean . . . Complete story »
Petition against offshore wind farms
OCEAN CITY, Md–Some opponents of wind turbines off the Ocean City coastline are taking a new approach. They have created a White House petition in hopes of moving the project farther away from Maryland’s Coast. Currently the wind farm projects are designed to be about 19 miles off the coast. The petition is asking for the wind farms to be moved at least 26 miles off the coast. But, the developers say moving the wind farms farther away is not . . . Complete story »
Visual pollution unacceptable
We who live or visit Ocean City are blessed with the natural beauty of the ocean horizon. We want to continue to see that beauty without it being marred by ugly wind turbines by day and the unnatural glow of high-intensity flashing red aircraft warning lights by night. How many have considered how the horizon’s natural beauty will be spoiled at night as well as by day? The vast majority of us are strongly in favor of renewable energy and . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine debate renewed; Councilman wants OC to explore options
OCEAN CITY – The distance of the turbines in a proposed wind energy project off the coast of Ocean City continued to be a hot topic this week with resort officials vowing to explore their options. Last spring, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) approved one of two proposed offshore wind energy projects off the coast of Ocean City to US Wind. The US Wind project involves the placement of 32 wind turbines off the resort coast at a distance of . . . Complete story »
OC wind energy project met with concerns as development begins
OCEAN CITY, Md. – Wind energy is on the horizon in Ocean City. As an offshore wind project inches closer to taking off the ground, it continues to be met with opposition. “There has been concerns all along,” says Wayne Hartman, an Ocean City Councilman. Last year, the Maryland Public Service Commission approved a plan that would bring wind projects to Ocean City. One of the companies is US Wind. Their plan is to build 32 wind turbines that would . . . Complete story »
Company defends choosing La. contractor for wind farm work
OCEAN CITY – One of the first significant contracts awarded in the proposed offshore wind energy project off the coast of Ocean City went to a fabrication firm in Louisiana, leading local officials to question whether a promise to create jobs and spur economic development in Maryland has been broken early in the process. Last spring, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) approved US Wind’s project of 32 wind turbines off the resort coast at a distance of 17 miles, or . . . Complete story »
Ocean City wind power moves ahead with 330-foot tower
One of the companies building an offshore wind farm off the coast of Ocean City has taken another step toward the project’s start. US Wind, Inc. has entered into a contract with Gulf Island Fabrication, LLC for the procurement of a meteorological tower and support structure, according to a company release. “This contract with Gulf Island Fabrication marks a significant milestone in US Wind’s aim to deliver the intended sustainable wind energy and job and economic benefits to the Maryland . . . Complete story »
Protections for them weakened, the birds need you
The century-old Migratory Bird Treaty Act was weakened in December and is now meeting challenges in Congress. The MBTA outlaws the un-permitted killing or possession of most native birds; it also protects their feathers, eggs and nests. It’s impossible to know how many birds this law has saved, but it has certainly led many businesses to bird-friendly practices. That’s because, until December, even “incidental” bird deaths, including those caused by electric towers and oil spills, were held to account. For . . . Complete story »
Wind farm distance bill killed but local fight isn’t quite over
Although the current went against efforts in the General Assembly this week to push wind turbines farther offshore, Ocean City officials have pledged to continue its fight during the upcoming federal permit process. HB1135 received an unfavorable report from the House Economic Committee on Monday by a 14-5 vote. The legislature held hearings on the house measure, as well as cross-filed senate legislation the previous week. The bill would have altered distance requirements for turbines from between 10-30 nautical miles . . . Complete story »
