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 do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Maryland’s highest court rules state can trump counties in deciding where solar, wind projects can go
Maryland’s highest court has affirmed that state utility regulators have the power to trump the objections of county governments to solar and wind energy projects, appearing to settle an issue that has stalled renewable energy development in rural parts of the state. The Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that under state law, the Public Service Commission is “the ultimate decision-maker” in approving power plant projects. “Under the plain language of the statute, local government is a significant participant in the . . . Complete story »
Weather tower comes to OC coast, despite mayor’s opposition
Plans are moving forward for the installation of an over 300 foot tall meteorological tower approximately 17 miles off the coast of Ocean City. The U.S. Wind Offshore Wind Farm Project was the topic of a recent briefing attended by Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan. The tower will be used to collect wind data in advance of the future installation of as many as 32 offshore wind turbines. Meehan and other town officials in Ocean City have been battling to . . . Complete story »
Offshore wind farm’s meteorological tower to be constructed next month; Officials express concerns at public hearing
OCEAN CITY – A 300-foot-plus meteorological tower will be installed about 17 miles off the coast of Ocean City next month in advance of the US Wind offshore wind farm project. At the close of Monday’s Mayor and Council meeting, Mayor Rick Meehan provided a briefing on a public hearing held last Thursday in Ocean Pines on the pending installation of a 328-foot tall meteorological, or met, tower, in roughly the middle of US Wind’s approved Wind Energy Area. The tower . . . Complete story »
Meteorological tower to be built off Ocean City coast in July
OCEAN PINES, Md. – Thursday night in Worcester County, officials from U.S. Wind were on hand to help calm any concerns locals have about the 328 foot meteorological tower that will installed off the coast of Ocean City. The tower will be put in place in July but locals the main concern is what impact it will have on marine life. “My biggest worry is what it’s going to do to our fishing population,” says Heather Bahrami, who works in . . . Complete story »
Maryland bill mandating 50% renewable energy by 2030 to become law, but without Gov. Larry Hogan’s signature
Half of Maryland’s energy will come from renewable sources by 2030 under a bill that is set to become law Friday – without Gov. Larry Hogan’s signature. The General Assembly passed the measure last month, requiring utilities in the state to subsidize solar and wind farms. Controversially, it also maintains incentives for trash incinerators and paper mills even though they generate pollution and greenhouse gases. The legislation brings Maryland to the forefront of states using energy policy to promote investment in . . . Complete story »
Clean jobs act triples offshore wind farm capacity; Resort officials express same concerns
OCEAN CITY – A bill that could essentially triple the capacity of wind energy off the coast of Maryland passed this week, causing resort officials to redouble their efforts to get the word out about the potential impact of the vast turbine fields. As the session expired this week, state lawmakers passed the Clean Jobs Act of 2019, language in which could allow for the expansion of offshore wind energy generated off the coast of Ocean City to 1,200 megawatts. Currently, . . . Complete story »
Delegates revive proposal to mandate that half of Maryland’s electricity come from renewable energy sources
A Maryland House of Delegates committee on Friday revived a proposal to mandate that half the state’s energy come from renewable sources. At the same time, the House Economic Matters Committee removed a Senate-approved provision in the legislation that targeted a Baltimore trash incinerator. In approving the 50 percent green energy mandate last month, the Senate also voted to declare that so-called waste-to-energy plants (ones that burn trash to generate power) should not be considered clean energy. That element of . . . Complete story »
State legislation could triple offshore wind energy capacity
OCEAN CITY – While it has been quiet for several months on the issue of offshore wind farms, a pair of bills circulating in the General Assembly could, if approved, essentially triple the capacity of wind energy off Maryland’s shores. Since the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) in 2017 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 site their wind turbines as far . . . Complete story »
Lawmakers debate doubling Maryland’s renewable energy goal
ANNAPOLIS – Fifteen years ago, lawmakers started the long process of phasing in renewable energy to Maryland’s power supplies, and this year, they may have to decide how much further to take it. Maryland’s goal is to have a quarter of its power generated by renewable sources by next year, and it’s currently on track to meet its deadline, said Sen. Brian Feldman (D-Montgomery), who has worked on the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard since it was created in 2004. With the . . . Complete story »
Maryland clean energy bill could triple offshore wind investment
The future of Maryland’s energy use is looking a little greener after the midterm election. With a roster of newly elected officials in the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate, legislation promising a larger commitment to renewable energy is likely to pass next session. Maryland voters elected in a supermajority of candidates to the General Assembly who have explicitly signed support for the Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Act. Generally, a supermajority refers to party affiliation within a state legislature. In . . . Complete story »
