Today, the United States Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released the Final Sale Notice for Maryland’s offshore Wind Energy Area (WEA). BOEM will begin the auction to lease this area on August 19, 2014, and the agency reports that 16 companies have already formally expressed interest in bidding.
Tommy Landers, Maryland Policy Director at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, had the following statement in response:
“Today’s announcement marks a critical milestone in Maryland’s pursuit of offshore wind power. This plentiful energy source just a few miles off our shores is Maryland’s single largest source of clean electricity, with enough potential to power more than one third of Maryland’s homes and businesses. That’s why offshore wind power can and must be a foundation of Maryland’s strategy for combating climate change and transitioning to a clean energy economy.
“The O’Malley-Brown administration showed great leadership in championing offshore wind power legislation in Annapolis. The Chesapeake Climate Action Network was proud to work closely with the governor’s team and a broad array of partners to get that legislation across the finish line last year, laying the groundwork for this critical next step. Today’s announcement is a testament to the determination of the O’Malley-Brown administration, the Maryland Energy Administration, federal officials and many others to realize the vision of clean, local offshore wind power for our families and businesses.
“Moving forward, CCAN and our allies will continue pushing to ensure that this summer’s auction leads to turbines spinning off our coasts as quickly as possible. As climate change inflicts increasingly costly impacts on our economy, environment, and well-being, Maryland must do everything it can to speed the transition to clean energy solutions, from offshore wind power to land-based wind and solar to energy efficiency.”