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.
Pentagon sounds alarm over Biden plan for offshore wind sites
The Pentagon is sounding alarms over Biden administration plans to advance offshore wind projects along the central Atlantic US coast, warning that almost all of the new terrain eyed for development conflicts with military operations. Maps shared with industry stakeholders and seen by Bloomberg News show vast red areas that the Navy and Air Force have deemed “highly problematic,” covering prime real estate the Interior Department last year earmarked for leasing off the coasts of North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and . . . Complete story »
Wind energy gets scrutiny following whale deaths
Politicians, citizens and some environmentalists are calling for a slow-down or complete halt of wind energy activity off the East Coast as officials examine the cause of a rash of marine animal deaths, but neither action nor an answer appears to be imminent. In January, the debate landed on the shores of Worcester County with the body of a humpback whale, which immediately led to speculation regarding the cause of its death. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is examining . . . Complete story »
Humpback whale washes up at Assateague Island
A dead whale washed up on the shore at Assateague Island Monday morning. The 20-foot humpback whale was found Jan. 16 in the Maryland Oversand Vehicle Area. Assateague Island interpretation and education chief Liz Davis said it’s a fairly unusual occurrence. “That said, we do see a dead whale washed ashore every few years,” she said. There are no obvious signs of a cause of death at this time, said the National Park Service. A necropsy was planned for today . . . Complete story »
Rep. Harris demands halt to windmill construction after whale washes up at Assateague
Maryland Congressman Andy Harris is calling for an immediate halt to offshore windmill construction and underwater geotechnical testing. Harris who represents most of Maryland’s Eastern Shore region made the demand after a dead whale washed ashore at Assateague Island Monday. Now in his seventh term in Congress, Harris argues there is no evidence suggesting that windmill construction did not cause the whale’s death. The lawmaker says he wants full transparent necropsy results. “I am also calling for a full and . . . Complete story »
U.S. Wind barrels through the BOEM scoping process
The second BOEM meeting on the U.S. Wind project off the coast of Ocean City, Md., and with cable power landfall at North Bethany Beach, was more spirited than the first. Still, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is racing through these hearings on the environmental review process – with U.S. Wind permitting likely in 2024 and initial construction 10 nautical miles from OC’s shoreline in 2025. The “scoping” meetings based on construction and operations plans concluded Monday, June 27, . . . Complete story »
Fishermen concerned about wind turbines being built off Ocean City coast
OCEAN CITY, Md. — A federal agency will begin a series of public hearings Tuesday on the planned wind farm off the coast of Ocean City. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is looking at potential environmental impacts and what measures can be taken to reduce them. Members of the commercial fishing industry have concerns with wind turbines being built on their fishing grounds. Ted Smith has fished for conch off the coast of Ocean City for 20 years, setting . . . Complete story »
Maryland’s offshore wind project is a $4 billion boondoggle
Offshore wind power is coming here! Maryland’s Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2019 (CEJA) mandates the procurement of at least 1,200 megawatts of in-state offshore wind by 2030. Because offshore wind is one of the most expensive forms of renewable energy, this requirement will increase the electric bills of Maryland’s residential and small-business electricity consumers (large consumers are exempt). Considering how expensive this energy is, wouldn’t the logical decision be to build just the minimum capacity required to comply with . . . Complete story »
BOEM approves offshore wind plan
OCEAN CITY – Federal officials this week announced acceptance of US Wind’s first proposed offshore wind farm projects off the coast of Ocean City and will begin an environmental review of the project with the requisite public hearings scheduled for later this year. The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced on Monday it has accepted the construction and operations plan (COP) for US Wind’s Marwin project, in line to be the first offshore wind project off Maryland’s Atlantic . . . Complete story »
Fenwick committee holds first offshore wind symposium
DAGSBORO – An update on two offshore wind projects and presentations from local and national representatives highlighted the Fenwick Island Environmental Committee’s first Offshore Wind Symposium. Last Friday, the Fenwick Island committee hosted its Offshore Wind Symposium at Indian River High School. With representatives present from US Wind and Ørsted, and local mayors and national experts in attendance, emcee Janet Dudley-Eshbach said the goal of the event is to educate community members. “The purpose of this forum is to inform . . . Complete story »
Ocean City fishermen say US Wind is to blame for their damaged gear
DELMARVA— Some fishermen out of Ocean City claim their gear is being damaged by the company that wants to build a wind farm off the coast. One fisherman is claiming more than a hundred thousand dollars worth of lost equipment. Jimmy Hahn has been in the business for 30 years. He said multiple pots have been damaged and towed by US Wind, who denies those allegations. Hahn showed WRDE a video he shot with his phone when he was out . . . Complete story »
