Members of the public and other interested parties are invited to comment on a proposal by US Wind, Inc. to revise and expand its offshore wind project to be built in federal waters off Maryland's coast at an upcoming virtual hearing.
Here's when and how to tune in and to make your voice heard.
Virtual hearing on offshore wind, Ocean City will take public comments
A virtual hearing will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 6:30 p.m. Those wishing to speak at the hearing should send an email to kimberly.schock@maryland.gov by noon Friday, Oct. 11. Participants will receive an email with a link to the online platform.
Organizations or other entities are strongly encouraged to coordinate and consolidate their comments in order to avoid repetition (they may indicate that they are representing other individuals in their remarks). Anyone wishing to observe the live stream of the hearing may do so at the Commission's YouTube channel (MD PSC): www.youtube.com/c/MarylandPSC .
In addition to the hearing, written comments can be sent (by Nov. 1) electronically through the Commission’s online portal at https://www.psc.state.md.us/make-a-public-comment/ , or by mail. Comments sent by mail should be addressed to: Andrew Johnston, Executive Secretary, Maryland Public Service Commission, William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul St., 16th floor, Baltimore (only one copy is required). So that they are noted in the proper case file, all comments should reference Case No. 9666.
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The scope of US Wind's wind plans off of Ocean City
In its review of US Wind's application, the Commission will evaluate the project's environmental, health and economic benefits, as well as the bill impacts to Maryland utility ratepayers.
In the first two offshore wind rounds (2017 and 2021), US Wind was awarded offshore wind renewable energy credits (ORECs) to support projects of more than 1,056 MW. In what is known as a Revised Round 2 proceeding, US Wind's application seeks the authority for a 1,710 MW build-out of its entire federal lease area. 840 MW is proposed for OREC Round 1 and 870 MW is proposed for OREC Round 2.
This new combined project increases the total capacity of US Wind’s Maryland offshore wind portfolio by more than 600 MW, and absorbs the capacity left over when, in January of this year, Skipjack Offshore Energy, LLC relinquished the ORECs it had been awarded in the first two rounds.
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How we got here with offshore wind and Ocean City
Rhe green light for US Wind's plans by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management came in September.
On Sept. 5, the bureau handed down a favorable Record of Decision approving the company's data in its Environmental Impact Statement and its Construction and Operations Plan . The decision authorizes the company to continue construction plans of up to 114 turbines totaling a 2,200 MW capacity off the coast of Ocean City, enough to power 770,000 homes with offshore wind energy. US Wind has been awarded offtake agreements with the state of Maryland and this fall is re-engaging the state’s public utility board to restructure those agreements.
The approval includes three planned phases for turbine development. Two of those phases, MarWin and Momentum Wind, have received offshore renewable energy certificates from the state of Maryland.
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Offshore wind and Ocean City: Make your voice heard at upcoming virtual hearing
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