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.
Wind farm developer drops Delaware state park plan
FENWICK ISLAND – The developer of an offshore wind farm will not move forward with an interconnection facility at Fenwick Island State Park after further evaluation of the proposed area. Ørsted – the developer of the Skipjack wind farm project just off the coast – announced it has notified the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) it will no longer pursue plans to build an interconnection facility at Fenwick Island State Park, according to a press release issued . . . Complete story »
Agency releases Fenwick Island State Park survey results
FENWICK ISLAND – A Delaware agency released its survey results and responses to frequently asked questions regarding proposed improvements at Fenwick Island State Park this week, but stopped short of making any formal decision allowing an offshore wind developer to build an interconnection facility in return. On Wednesday, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) released survey results and answers to the public’s questions surrounding a proposal that would bring roughly $18 million in capital improvements to . . . Complete story »
Group to continue opposing wind turbines; Action filed in Allegany County Circuit Court
CUMBERLAND – A citizens’ group plans to carry its fight against wind turbines on Dan’s Mountain to the Allegany County Circuit Court. Despite an unfavorable ruling in a recent Maryland Public Service Commission hearing, the organization – Allegany Neighbors and Citizens for Home Owners Rights Limited, or ANCHOR – is vowing to continue the fight. The group opposes a plan that calls for the construction of 17 wind turbines on Dan’s Mountain near the communities of Midland and the Harwood Subdivision, along with . . . Complete story »
Dan’s Mountain wind farm receives approval
CUMBERLAND – A proposed project to place 17 wind turbines on Dan’s Mountain was approved Wednesday by the Maryland Public Service Commission. The approval allows Dan’s Mountain Wind Force LLC to construct the turbines on the mountain’s ridge line near the communities of Midland and the Harwood Subdivision, along with Vale Summit, Cresaptown and Bel Air. By a 4-1 vote, the PSC agreed to issue a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the project, which is required for it to . . . Complete story »
Evidentiary hearing on wind turbine size underway
OCEAN CITY – The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) evidentiary hearing on the proposed change in the size of the turbines for one offshore wind farm began in earnest on Thursday with both sides firing salvos in their opening remarks. Last year, Ørsted, the developer of the Skipjack project announced it was committed to using the GE-Haliade 12-megwatt turbines, described as the “world’s largest offshore wind turbine,” for its Skipjack project off the north end of Ocean City. The 12-megawatt turbines . . . Complete story »
All quiet on Fenwick State Park project, officials say
FENWICK ISLAND – The mayor of Fenwick Island said local officials have yet to hear from a state agency regarding proposed plans for a nearby beach park. In a Fenwick Island Town Council meeting late last month, Mayor Gene Langan said the town had yet to receive a response from Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Secretary Shawn Garvin regarding a proposal that would bring roughly $18 million in capital improvements to Fenwick Island State Park in . . . Complete story »
Are Crisfield’s turbine savings blowing in the wind?
CRISFIELD – In September 2016 – nearly 2½ years after its groundbreaking – Crisfield’s skyline became dominated by a pole topped by three propeller- like blades towering 315 ft. from the ground to the tip of a blade at high noon. By mid-February 2017 this wind turbine was operating. A dedication ceremony planned for July 2018 was postponed, and ultimately never rescheduled. Designed to generate 750 kW of electricity and offset the power needs of the wastewater treatment plant next door, it was . . . Complete story »
OC’s request to postpone virtual wind hearing denied
OCEAN CITY – A virtual evidentiary hearing on the proposed change in the size of the turbines for one offshore wind farm scheduled for next week will go on as planned after the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) denied Ocean City’s request to delay the proceedings. The evidentiary hearing on the proposed change in size of the wind turbines for Orsted’s Skipjack wind farm off the coast of the resort is scheduled for next week on June 4-5. Last year, Orsted, . . . Complete story »
Wind farm input given, pro and con
CUMBERLAND – More than 40 citizens provided comments Wednesday during a public hearing on the proposed Dan’s Mountain Wind Farm. The Maryland Public Service Commission held the hearing via video and phone conferencing with Chief Public Utility Law Judge Ryan C. McLean presiding. In a case that has dragged on for several years, the plan has placed representatives of Dan’s Mountain Wind Force LLC against Allegany Neighbors and Citizens for Home Owners Rights (ANCHOR) Limited, a citizens’ group opposing the project. . . . Complete story »
Hearing on wind turbines set May 20
CUMBERLAND – The Maryland Public Service Commission has scheduled a hearing for May 20 at 6:30 p.m. to accept public comment on a proposed plan to install 17 wind turbines on Dan’s Mountain. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the meeting will be a virtual hearing via Cisco Webex, an online video conferencing platform. In a case that has dragged on for years, Dan’s Mountain Wind Force LLC has sought permission to install the energy-generating turbines, however a citizens’ group known as . . . Complete story »
