The US House of Representatives appropriations committee has adopted proposed legislative changes that could impact the location of offshore wind farms in Maryland.
The amendment to the 2018 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill would limit the use of federal funds to conduct reviews of site assessment or construction and operation plans for wind turbines less than 24 nautical miles (44km) from the Maryland coastline.
Deepwater Wind plans to build the 120MW Skipjack and US Wind the 248MW Maryland offshore wind farms off the coast of the US state near Ocean City.
Congressman Andy Harris from Maryland introduced the amendment to the bill.
He said: “Ocean City’s economy heavily relies on its real estate and tourism sectors, and there has not yet been a proper examination on whether construction of these wind turbines will have a negative economic impact on the community.
“If construction of these turbines too close to the shoreline will reduce property value or tourism, then the turbines may cause more issues than they solve.”
Image: Ocean City (US Army Corps of Engineers)
Congress targets Maryland wind
Amendment limits funds for turbines less than 24 nautical miles from shore
By EBS