Maryland coast opened to offshore wind development

By TIMOTHY B. WHEELER
The Baltimore Sun
Related:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/

The federal government on Monday invited bids from wind power developers to place turbines off Maryland's coast, taking the first step toward what could be the nation's largest offshore commercial wind project to date.

The Department of Interior identified a 277 nautical-square-mile area off the state's 31-mile coast for possible leasing, largely accepting the recommendations of a state task force that has been studying offshore wind prospects since early last year. The nearest to shore turbines could be placed would be 10 nautical miles off Ocean City, Md., and 20 nautical miles off Assateague National Seashore.

The announcement by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement was hailed by Gov. Martin O'Malley, who has made developing offshore wind a centerpiece of his administration's energy policy. His administration has proposed developing one gigawatt of electricity-generating capacity off Maryland's coast, erecting more than 300 commercial turbines in phases.

O'Malley issued a statement calling the federal move "another step forward for Maryland's new economy." His administration has said developing one gigawatt of power offshore could support 4,000 manufacturing and construction jobs, plus 800 permanent jobs to operate and maintain the turbines and related infrastructure.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/08/2408720/maryland-coast-opened-to-offshore.html#ixzz14zKVQDhL

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