Dear Public Service Commission:
The planet is facing a climate crisis and Maryland is especially vulnerable to climate change impacts like sea level rise. Our state needs to be an ambitious leader in the fight against climate change, including growing clean renewable energy as quickly as possible. Maryland residents have been working to get offshore wind off our coast for years, and our state agencies and elected representatives have evaluated the proposals and plans every step of the way.
The proposed wind farms have been through significant scrutiny and have rightfully accounted for technological advancements in offshore wind over the years. There is no data that indicates turbines more than a dozen miles offshore will hurt rental income and real estate values. The opposite is true where the only turbines on the East Coast are currently installed: Block Island in Rhode Island.
What's more, using larger turbines will result in fewer turbines than originally proposed for the project. Fewer turbines may be slightly more visible due to their height but will allow for wider spacing, making them blend into the horizon more easily. While the turbines may be visible on a clear day (about the size of two thumbnails), we believe they will be harbingers of progress and a sign of our commitment to a clean energy future for generations to come.
We urge support for offshore wind in Maryland and request that you avoid any actions that would delay the advancement of these projects for Maryland.
