Wind energy positioning to shutter nukes

On the one hand, it is Christopher Crane, Chief Executive of the Chicago –based nuclear giant Exelon Nuclear Corporation, who is quoted, “What worries me is if we continue to build an excessive amount of wind and subsidize wind, the unintended consequence could be that it leads to shutting down (nuclear) plants.” And on the other, it is also Crane who told Exelon shareholders, "When the balance sheet is tight like it is right now, you would want to make investments that have a short investment period. Wind and other smaller assets really do fit that profile. Within a year, you're getting a return.”

In fact, Beyond Nuclear argues it is an intended consequence to invest in the “environmental balance” sheet for a 21^st Century energy policy that phases out and replaces  environment damaging conventional generators with an abundance of wind and solar power.

Precisely such winds of change are finally blowing in states like Maryland, where Governor O”Malley and the State Senate and House supporters of renewable energy have refused to be deterred, are set to approve a bill for concurrence to kick start development for offshore wind  and a statewide supply line.

Supporters rally for Maryland Gov. O'Malley's offshore wind energy bill

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.

Maryland offshore wind energy bill may pass this session

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is optimistic that his latest effort to promote offshore wind energy in Maryland will succeed this session. Last month he told a supportive State House crowd that enough senators had signed onto his bill this time to get it through the chamber that's thwarted him the past two years. O'Malley said he had 24 senators as cosponsors, a bare majority but twice the number backing last year's effort. What's more, the governor said, six of his cosponsors are members of the Finance Committee, enough to break the logjam there that has stifled his legislation.