CCAN Comments Maryland’s Offshore Wind Announcement

Environment

December 20, 2013

Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) has commented the announcement on Maryland Wind Energy Area lease:

On December 17th, 2013, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that “Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Tommy P. Beaudreau today joined Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley to announce the proposed notice of sale for nearly 80,000 acres offshore Maryland for commercial wind energy leasing.”

Offshore wind is Maryland’s single largest source of clean energy, with enough potential to power more than one third of Maryland’s homes and businesses. So it can and should be a foundational element of Maryland’s strategy for transitioning to a clean energy economy.

That’s why Gov. Martin O’Malley – and more broadly, the O’Malley-Brown administration – showed great leadership in championing offshore wind legislation the past couple of years. The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) was proud to work closely with the governor and our broad array of partners to get that legislation across the finish line in 2013. The governor’s leadership was essential in winning that victory for Marylanders.

Today’s announcement is another indicator that we’re making progress towards getting offshore wind farms built off our coast. Getting the law passed was the first key step, of course, and now I’m excited to see Maryland officials working hand in hand with the federal government to make sure we see this process to fruition.

In the meantime, CCAN and our allies will continuing building support for offshore wind power, and other forms of clean energy like land-based wind and solar, as well as energy efficiency. As climate change becomes more of a real and present threat to Maryland and to the whole world, we will continue pushing for an economy based on clean, healthy energy for our families and businesses.