Speak Out: Should Offshore Wind Turbines Be a Part of MD's Economy?
A bill that could have made Maryland the first state to install wind turbines off its coast failed to make it out of the Senate Finance Committee and into this year's General Assembly.
A bill that could have made Maryland the first state to install wind turbines off its coast died in the Senate Finance Committee during this year's General Assembly.
The legislation would have increased power bills for families in the state by a maximum of $1.50 a month, or 1.5 percent of the bill for commercial and industrial users.
Wind legislation was a priority for Governor Martin O'Malley, who argued the industry would create thousands of local jobs and garner $8.7 million in revenue for the state over a five-year span.
But many lawmakers were hesitant to increase energy bills in a struggling economy. Opponents of the legislation also cited the heavy cost of breaking into the offshore wind industry.
What do you think? Do you wish the General Assembly had passed this bill?
How important do you think offshore wind turbines could or should be to Maryland's economy? Tell us in the comments.
Tomcenergy
10:42 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Yes, the Maryland General Assembly should have passed the offshore wind bill this past session and they should pass it as soon as possible. New Jersey and Massachusetts are ahead of the game and Maryland will miss out on the jobs if we don't incentivize partnerships with our state businesses.
The Maryland House of Delegates passed the bill by a resounding 88-47. The bill also had 5 votes in the Senate Finance Committee, but fell 1 short of the 6 needed. The bill also had majority support on the Senate floor had it made it there.
So with just one vote away, the Senate Finance Committee and the full senate should act as soon as possible to make this bill law and bring offshore wind to Maryland! Polls show a strong majority of Marylanders want to see this investment to put Maryland at the forefront of a new American industry.
Marylanders can get involved at http://www.facebook.com/marylandersforoffshorewindpower and businesses can join the Business Coalition for Maryland Offshore Wind (http://www.bizmdosw.org)
Milton
12:01 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
You and I both know that the cost of $1.50 per month is only the start and that the costs will soon balloon much higher. Why should I be forced to invest in a wind company run by O'Malley's cronies? Let people/companies/investors decide for themselves and give us a break on the taxes and mandates. Thanks.
Tomcenergy
3:12 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
The 2012 offshore wind bill ensured that no project would be approved if it were projected to cost more than a $1.50 for the average ratepayer in Maryland. We'll lock in a stable price for energy over 20 years since the fuel (wind) is free. We can't do that with fossil fuel prices, which roughly doubled in the last decade before the recession.
There are 11 developers interested in building offshore wind farms off the coast of Maryland. The federal government controls the permitting process and any Maryland project review process would be transparent. While favoritism was never a legitimate concern, the company that Governor O'Malley's former chief of staff currently works for is no longer pursuing offshore wind development off Maryland's coast.