Sierra Club: Offshore Wind to Help Reduce Maryland’s Reliance on Fossil Fuels

Following the approval of offshore wind renewable energy credits to Deepwater Wind and US Wind’s Maryland projects, Sierra Club welcomed Maryland PSC’s decision and said that, in addition to bringing local jobs and economic development, the inclusion of offshore wind in the state’s energy production will help reduce Maryland’s reliance on coal and other fossil fuels.

“This is a monumental win for the economy and the environment in Maryland,” David Smedick, Maryland Beyond Coal Campaign and Policy Representative for the Sierra Club said. “The people have shown up and spoken out in support of offshore wind and now it’s clear that the state is ready to move forward too. We have been working to get offshore wind to Maryland for over five years so this decision from the PSC is truly one of our biggest moments.”

The move has also been commended by environmentalist organisations and those advocating renewable energy.

“By harnessing the power of the wind blowing off our coast, Maryland is creating a clean energy future that protects wildlife and their habitats and communities in the Free State,” Jennifer Mihills, Mid-Atlantic Associate Director, National Wildlife Federation said. “Guided by strong conservation principles, offshore wind can be sited, constructed, and operated in a manner that is protective of our coastal and marine wildlife.”

Susan Stevens Miller, staff attorney with Earthjustice’s clean energy program said: “These projects will not only unlock a huge, untapped source of renewable energy, they will create thousands of new jobs in manufacturing and other sectors – all within earshot of President Trump’s White House.”

“The message from Maryland is clear – clean, renewable, job-creating energy is our future,” Susan Stevens Miller said.

Karla Raettig, Executive Director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, said that the projects are an essential part of Maryland’s efforts to combat climate change.

The benefits of offshore wind were also highlighted in terms of health, with Sara Via, PhD, Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Maryland, College Park and Co-lead, Climate Health Action Team at Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, providing an interesting finding of a Harvard study. 

“A recent study from Harvard estimates that the health benefits of an offshore wind project approximately the size proposed by US Wind will amount to about $120/month/family, at a cost the PSC estimates will be only about $1/month. That’s a great return on investment,” Sara Via said.

Tamara Toles O’Laughlin, Executive Director at the Maryland Environmental Health Network said that large scale offshore wind in Maryland is a real opportunity to displace pollution that increases poor health outcomes. “Maryland ranks fifth in the nation in adult asthma and has some of the worst ground level ozone pollution in our region. It’s high time to act on climate, and embrace renewable energy as a means to cleaner air and better health for all.”