MD Senate Republican Leaders Push Back Against AG Brown on Offshore Wind Project
MARYLAND – Senate Republican Leaders are criticizing Attorney General (AG) Anthony Brown after he issued a reply to an inquiry sent regarding the ongoing legal battle over the proposed offshore wind project.
Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey, Minority Whip Justin Ready, and Senator Mary Beth Carozza are the co-authors of the letter sent to the AG on Nov. 13. The debacle surrounding the project escalated at the beginning of the year when President Donald Trump issued an executive order temporarily halting the leasing of offshore wind in federal waters. The order came despite federal permits being approved in Oct. 2024 under the Biden Administration.
AG Brown filed a brief in the U.S. District Court on Oct. 29, requesting a preliminary injunction to save the project. The State of Maryland has been investing in wind energy since 2013, including over $16 million in grants to develop the offshore wind supply chain and workforce in the state.
Senate Republican Letter Sent to AG Brown
In their letter, Senators Hershey, Ready, and Carozza issued concerns regarding the cost of ongoing litigation to taxpayers, arguing it is wasteful when many Marylanders are already struggling with the rising cost of living. Additionally, they argued that the legal battle is political in nature, and will hurt Marylanders more than help them in the long run.
“We are writing to express our deep concern over your office’s decision to use taxpayer resources to intervene in ongoing litigation against the federal government in support of the US Wind offshore wind project,” the letter opened. “At a time when families and businesses across Maryland are struggling with the rising cost of living, it is unconscionable that the Attorney General’s office would spend public funds to defend a foreign-owned wind developer—particularly one that stands to benefit from billions in state subsidies paid for by Maryland ratepayers.”
The primary contractor of the wind project is U.S. Wind, which is owned by Renexia SpA, an Italian company.
The Senators also argue that the wind project will ultimately cause the wholesale cost of energy prices to rise 25 percent in Maryland households; an increase of approximately $155 more per year. Moreover, they argue that the amount of jobs created by the installation will not offset the amount of jobs lost by watermen, small businesses, and tourism-related jobs in coastal communities. There are also concerns that visible turbine installations along the East Coast deter visitors, impact property values, and reduce local tourism revenue.
The leadership also requested a response that specifically addressed a legal and financial justification for the litigation, transparency on the total cost to Maryland taxpayers, and the impact of this project on Maryland ratepayers, small businesses, and communities across the state.
“We urge you to withdraw the state’s participation in this lawsuit and refocus your office on protecting Maryland taxpayers, not foreign developers. The people of Maryland deserve an AG who serves their interests—not political allies in Washington or special interests in the renewable energy industry,” they concluded.
AG Brown’s Response
AG Brown replied to the Senators’ inquiry the following day on Nov. 14, albeit in a much briefer correspondence. The response read:
“Thank you for your letter dated November 13, 2025, regarding the Office of the Attorney General’s filing in Mayor and City Council of Ocean City Maryland v. United States Department of the Interior. The legal and policy interests of the State in this litigation are fully set forth in our amicus curiae brief filed with the United States District Court for the District of Maryland on October 29, 2025. That brief is available here. The brief details Maryland’s substantial economic, energy security, and environmental interests in the US Wind project, including over $6 billion in projected economic benefits, 1,710 megawatts of electricity generation capacity, and the projected addition of more than 13,000 in state jobs over the project’s lifetime. Regarding costs, the Office incurred no filing fees for the amicus brief, as federal district court electronic filings through the CM/ECF system do not require separate payment for amicus participation.”
The brief in question argues that construction of the offshore wind project is projected to support more than 13,600 direct and secondary jobs in Maryland throughout its construction and operation; a number that Senate Republicans refuted in their initial letter. Prior to the change in administrations, U.S. Wind had committed millions to investment in the state, including over $75 million for steel and port facilities at Sparrows Point in Baltimore County.
Senate Republicans Criticize AG Brown’s Response
Senate Republican Leadership pushed back against the AG’s response on Nov. 20, maintaining that their inquiries were left unanswered.
“Marylanders deserve far better than a generic political response. The AG refused to explain why he is using taxpayer dollars and higher electric bills to support a foreign corporation. Offshore wind subsidies will raise energy costs statewide, and instead of leveling with Maryland families, the AG dodged the issue entirely,” said Senator Hershey.
“The AG didn’t answer a single substantive question. His office is increasingly focused on politically driven lawsuits rather than the core responsibilities Marylanders expect: affordability, transparency, and public safety. Maryland taxpayers should not be footing the bill for the AG to pursue ideological priorities,” said Senator Ready.
“It’s unacceptable that the AG is devoting public resources to defend a foreign-owned wind developer while ignoring the disastrous impacts these projects pose to Maryland’s Coast. Industrializing our ocean threatens coastal tourism, commercial fishing, and the livelihoods of families who depend on both. His weak, non-response is an insult to the communities that will bear the economic consequences,” said Senator Carozza.
