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Wind Power News: Maryland
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational mission 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. The original articles, links to which are provided, may have additional links and photos and other media that were not included here.
EPA rules US Wind offshore permit issued in error
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ruled a key decision greenlighting US Wind’s proposed project off Delmarva was done so in error. In a letter sent to Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Secretary Serena McIlwain, the EPA notes various legal errors in its issuance of its Notice of Final Determination, granting US Wind a final permit to begin construction. MDE issued the final permit to construct in June. The EPA says MDE must reissue the permit in accordance . . . Complete story »
Ocean City lawsuit to block offshore wind farm clears hurdle
Ocean City’s lawsuit seeking to block an offshore wind farm cleared a procedural hurdle last week, as a federal judge declined to dismiss most of the plaintiffs’ claims. Ocean City and nearly three dozen co-defendants sued the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in October after BOEM gave final approval for US Wind to build more than 100 turbines off the coast of Maryland and Delaware. The plaintiffs – which also include Worcester County; Fenwick . . . Complete story »
Massive wind turbine blade jumps median, blocks traffic on I-70 in Washington County
Traffic along Interstate 70 was backed up for several miles after a wind turbine blade on the back of a tractor-trailer fell across the highway Monday morning. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) said around 5:30 a.m., a tractor trailer heading westbound near I-70 and I-81 “was pulling a wind turbine blade that struck the guardrail, that caused the blade to go partially into the eastbound lanes, when the blade was then clipped by a tractor . . . Complete story »
States sue Trump administration over federal roadblocks on wind energy, citing economic harm and climate goals
A coalition of state attorneys general filed a lawsuit Monday against President Donald Trump’s attempt to stop the development of wind energy. Attorneys general from 17 states and Washington, D.C., are challenging an executive order Trump signed during his first day in office, pausing approvals, permits and loans for all wind energy projects both onshore and offshore. They say Trump doesn’t have the authority to unilaterally shut down the permitting process, and he’s jeopardizing development of a power source critical . . . Complete story »
Ocean City leaders push for offshore wind moratorium in Washington visit
A delegation of Ocean City leaders traveled to Washington, D.C. on April 30 to call for a halt to federal activity that would allow construction of offshore wind farms off the Maryland coast. Led by Mayor Rick Meehan, the group included Maryland State Senator Mary Beth Carozza, Worcester County Commissioner Joe Mitrecic, Town Manager Terry McGean, and local hotel operator Adam Showell Jr. The delegation met with U.S. Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Brett Guthrie of Kentucky and shared their . . . Complete story »
Critics of offshore wind believe the pendulum is swinging in their direction
A handful of Eastern Shore lawmakers are trying to take advantage of what they call positive momentum. The thought process follows a recent federal decision to immediately halt an offshore wind project in New York. Senator Mary Beth Carozza (R), who represents Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester Counties, has officially asked the US Department of the Interior to halt US Wind’s proposed project off Maryland’s coast. Carozza tells WBOC she isn’t sure if this will speed up the federal review process . . . Complete story »
Worcester County to use eminent domain to save seafood properties from US Wind
Worcester County Commissioners have announced plans to use eminent domain to prevent US Wind from purchasing two seafood wholesale properties in West Ocean City’s commercial maritime harbor. The move comes as US Wind’s parent company, Renexia SpA, looked to demolish the harbor’s only commercial seafood wholesalers, Southern Connection Seafood and the Martin Fish Company, according to the Commission’s resolution. Commissioners cited several reasons for taking action, including the commercial fishing industry’s impact on the regional economy and federal fishery catch . . . Complete story »
Ocean City, others sue federal government over offshore wind project
After months of threats, Ocean City on Friday filed a lawsuit against the federal government over the siting of a massive wind farm a little more than 10 miles off its coast. The Maryland tourist town was joined in its suit by a large and eclectic group of plaintiffs, including Worcester County, a Delaware town, a host of community associations, a hotel management company, the Ocean City Marlin Club and a national group dedicated to protecting the endangered right whale. . . . Complete story »
IRHS students present research on impact of wind farms
“After the students started to research, the entire class – 100 percent – shifted toward the negative impacts far outweighing the positive impacts.” A group of Indian River High School students, charged with researching the potential impacts of wind farms off the coast of Maryland, recently presented their findings to Fenwick Island officials and residents. The students – juniors and seniors from Jordan O’Boyle’s Engineering Design & Development class – gave their presentation during a Fenwick Island Town Council meeting on Friday, Sept. 27. . . . Complete story »
Delaware watermen sue to delay US Wind turbine project off Ocean City coast
Two Delaware watermen filed a lawsuit to delay the U.S. Wind project off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland. The watermen said they worry about the impact that wind turbines could have on their livelihood. Advertisement “The windmills are going to create such echoes off the radars that we’re not even going to know where everything is,” waterman Paul Wes Townsend said. The Caesar Rodney Institute filed the lawsuit against the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control on . . . Complete story »
