Offshore Wind Power for Maryland
MARYLAND’S ENERGY FUTURE:
STABLE-PRICED, POLLUTION-FREE, JOB GENERATOR.
Offshore wind can answer Maryland’s energy needs today, while protecting our shores and the environment for tomorrow. After dramatic electricity price increases sent shock waves through the state, Maryland officials began to seek stable-priced power sources.
Offshore wind is Maryland’s own source of energy and it meets the state’s needs perfectly: it protects against electricity price spikes by guaranteeing stable pricing since the cost of fuel – the wind – is always free. And it is a source of clean, dependable, and renewable energy that will help to avoid summertime electricity shortages that are of concern to state officials.
MARYLAND’S ENERGY INITIATIVES
In July 2007, Governor O’Malley announced the Empower Maryland Initiative that challenged the state to reduce energy consumption by 15% by 2015. This announcement also included a call for an increase in the use renewable energy sources to 20% by 2022. Another state initiative, the Maryland Strategic Electricity Plan, adopted by the Maryland Energy Administration, seeks to help Maryland consumers “keep their bills down, their lights on, and achieve their climate and environmental goals.” The General Assembly passed the key components of the Governor’s energy package initiatives during the 2008 legislative session; these measures represent a major step towards accelerating energy efficiency and development of renewable energy and climate change programs. For more information on these energy initiatives and the Plan, go to: www.energy.state.md.us
CLEAN, RENEWABLE WIND ENERGY FOR 136,000 MARYLAND HOUSEHOLDS
NRG Bluewater Wind is proposing to develop an offshore wind park that will dependably provide the amount of energy used by as many as 136,000 households in the state each year. By locating NRG Bluewater Wind’s wind park more than 12 miles out in the ocean, we will utilize a clean, renewable, and free source of fuel – the wind – to generate energy. This technology, while new to the United States, is well-established and well-proven in Europe. Here in the United States, land-based wind parks reliably provide power to over five million people across the country. We look forward to working with state officials to discuss options for the development of a stable-priced, emission-free offshore wind park for Maryland.
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Global warming is already decimating the polar bear’s habitat; locally, sea level rise caused by climate change could ruin the Maryland’s Eastern shore, Chesapeake Bay, and coast by the end of the century. Our offshore wind park will help fight global warming. Experience with offshore wind in Europe has informed us that birds and marine life are compatible with offshore wind. Extensive studies of NRG Bluewater Wind’s proposed project will ensure the protection of Maryland’s birds and marine life. In addition, federal and state officials will thoroughly review the offshore wind park proposal to ensure compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations.
Wind energy produces no water or air emissions. Based on a traditional mix of fossil fuel powered plants, a 600 MW wind park off the Maryland coast could avoid harmful emissions of 2.52 billion pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2, the cause of global warming), over 14 million pounds of sulfur dioxide (SO2), and 5 million pounds of nitrogen oxides (NOx). This is the equivalent of removing 219,818 cars from our highways or planting 6.3 million trees.
ENJOYMENT OF THE OCEAN
Fishing and boating will continue among the turbines. In addition, over time, each turbine foundation in an offshore wind park becomes an artificial reef, which enhances recreational fishing within the park and presents new opportunities for diving and sightseeing.
We welcome people to visit our wind parks once they are built. The wind turbines are to be located approximately 12 miles offshore. At that distance, the turbines will be difficult to see from shore. On hazy summer days, the wind park will be barely visible; on clear winter days, they will appear about half the size of one’s thumbnail and as thin as a pin.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
NRG Bluewater Wind wants to know what you think. And we want to be responsive to your concerns. Our philosophy is to engage all stakeholder groups in on–going dialogue from the beginning. To that end, we have already begun – and will continue – to meet with as many interested groups and individuals as we can identify. We want to make sure that all questions and concerns are fully addressed.
