Rep. Andy Harris hosts anti-wind hearing in Ocean City ahead of final authorization of US Wind project
OCEAN CITY, Md. – US Representative Andy Harris hosted a hearing in Ocean City Saturday to push back against efforts from US Wind to develop offshore wind power off the coast of Ocean City.
Rep. Harris tells 47ABC he is opposed to projects proposed both by Orsted and US Wind but the event focused on the US Wind plan that is in its final approval stage from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
“Once you you drive these out, the pilings and you put these windmills up, they’re going to be there a long time,” Rep. Harris said.
Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan says they do not support it the measure moving forward, citing damage to their local industries.
“You have the concerns of the commercial fishermen, the recreational fishermen, the environment, environmentalists, there are so many there are so many more questions than answers,” Meehan said.
The panel argued billions could be lost in tourism dollars due to an impacted view by the turbines, and points the finger at existing projects for an increase in dead whales washing up on beaches across the east coast.
“Even if you know, you reject the fact that there could be an effect on marine mammals, even if we reject the fact that there’s a tremendous effect on commercial fishing, it just makes no economic sense,” Rep. Harris said.
He believes the projects have rising costs that the companies will not bear.
“Offshore wind is an incredibly expensive way to generate electricity, it’s never even been done in hurricane-prone areas. and, you know, the U.S. is going to be testing it basically at great expense to the taxpayer and the energy and electricity rate,” Rep. Harris said.
But proponents of wind power are pushing back.
According to Americans for Clean Power, Maryland’s total offshore wind market is at 2,022 MW which is enough to power over 600,000 homes- with rate savings in the long term-
However, Ocean City Officials are unmoved by those arguments they say if the project gets the green light they’ll see BOEM in court.
“We will file suit with the Federal Government in opposition to the findings and the environmental impact statement if approved by BOEM,” Meehan said.
However, not all Ocean City Residents were against the event.
In a protest Saturday, members of Indivisible Worcester voiced their opposition to the hearing, stating that they do not believe people understand the full consequences.
The group believes offshore wind must be in the conversation to end the reliance on fossil fuels and negate the effects of climate change on the resort town.
They say they do not believe the turbines would serve as an eyesore but a necessary step for the future.
“We will not meet our climate goals for saving the environment without wind power we need it to save the environment OC will flood and flood again and it will get worse unless we move to clean renewable energy like wind power,” said Protestor Toby Perkins.
Perkins tells 47ABC the protestors say they will continue to organize against efforts from congressman harris- saying they believe his opposition stems from his support of alternative energies including oil and gas.
In a statement to 47ABC- Wind Power Company Orsted said “Our vessels have not experienced any whale strikes during offshore survey activity in the U.S. Every aspect of offshore wind development is reviewed by multiple agencies and subject to protective conditions.”
In a statement to 47ABC, US Wind Senior Director of External Affairs Nancy Sopko said “Marylanders want offshore wind. In the many conversations we’ve had across the state, the support for offshore wind comes through loud and clear. And in a recent poll, 72 percent of Marylanders say they support expanding offshore wind energy. Offshore wind is a win for the environment, a win for the economy, and a win for the future.”
