Offshore wind energy looks (finally) to pass in Maryland!
Three times is likely the charm for Maryland governor, Martin O'Malley who on February 13 told the Senate Finance Committee that Maryland’s geography makes it a prime candidate to utilize wind energy. Beyond Nuclear staff (holding our banner at left) joined other environmental supporters of offshore wind in Annapolis that day to support O'Malley's offshore wind energy bill. His bill proposes to put wind turbines off the coast of Ocean City. Offshore wind will provide clean energy, create local jobs, improve health, establish long-term electric price stability and keep air and water clean.
Environment Maryland, an advocacy group, showed in a spring 2012 report, What Offshore Wind Means for Maryland, that deploying wind farms along Maryland’s coast could create thousands of jobs for nearly 900 companies that can supply iron, steel, bolts and cables for turbines.
A January 2012 study by the University of Delaware’s College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, showed that Maryland's waters are suitable for 7,800 turbines, with an annual output of 14,000 megawatts—or nearly double the state's current electrical load.
Recognizing the potential to convert sometimes moribund maritime industries and idled ports for the purpose of wind energy manufacture and installation, AC Wind announced in March 2012 that it would “spend up to $10 million to convert a former boat plant in Salisbury (MD) to mold 130-foot long turbine blades” and employ upwards of 200 people by 2014.
Environment America identifies the city of Baltimore as a prime candidate to benefit from the creation of a wind energy industry in Maryland. “As investment in the offshore wind sector increases, Baltimore is well-positioned to compete for the shipping and manufacturing activity that will result. With good port facilities, an industrial facility that could be repurposed to serve the primary needs of the growing offshore industry, and a location right in the heart of the eastern seaboard, the city has every chance to become a major hub for offshore wind construction up and down the Atlantic coast.”
The Maryland Energy Administration found in a December 2011 report — Analysis of Maryland Steel Facilities for Sufficiency to Support Offshore Wind Energy Deployment — that the state could create as many as 5,000 jobs in the region and add $650 million to the economy by expanding its steel production and upgrading the Port of Baltimore to accommodate more turbine manufacturing.
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Art by Gene Case, Avenging AngelsMarylanders for Offshore Wind's Facebook page has posted photos from yesterday's rally. The Maryland Climate Coalition, which organized yesterday's event, is calling for folks to show their love for wind on Valentine's Day. One way to do so is to write your elected officials with Beyond Nuclear's "wind not nuclear" action post cards (see image, left). They were a big hit at yesterday's rally -- attendees were encouraged to take blank cards, and write to Gov. O'Malley and their State Senators and Representatives in favor of offshore wind in Maryland.