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Wind energy plans pose challenge to Navy testing
November 15, 2011 by Matthew Hay Brown in The Baltimore Sun

Plans to harness the winds that blow across the Eastern Shore for cheap, clean, renewable energy are arousing concern at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. And while the Defense Department does not have the authority to stop a project that interferes with the Navy's tests, officials say the Pentagon could use its considerable influence to discourage or scale back wind farm development.

Also filed under [ Safety| USA]

Maryland legislators to resume wind power discussions
August 30, 2011 by David Hill in Washington Times

The Senate Finance Committee will discuss the pros and cons of wind technology, which the governor has touted as a job-creating, environment-friendly alternative to fossil fuels while acknowledging that it likely will increase energy costs for consumers.

Also filed under [ General]

Wind farm officials assure residents roads will be fixed
July 28, 2011 by Jean Braithwaite in Mineral Daily News-Tribune

Defining the phrase "fix the roads" created a lengthy discussion between officials of the Pinnacle Wind Farm and several homeowners living in the area where the turbines and related materials are being transported to the construction site of the wind farm.

Also filed under [ General| West Virginia]

Maryland offshore wind area slashed
July 11, 2011 by Timothy B. Wheeler in The Baltimore Sun

It said the Coast Guard had recommended removing a swath of potential Outer Continental Shelf leasing blocks because they were in a path generally taken by ships entering Delaware Bay from the south. The Coast Guard may request an even wider shipping safety corridor after further study, the report added, noting that the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia are among the busiest in the nation.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy| USA]

Wind developer seeks PSC approval for power line
July 10, 2011 by Matthew Bieniek in Cumberland Times-News

A wind farm developer seeking easements from Allegany County for a power transmission line has requested an expedited review by the state Public Service Commission for the transmission line project.

Also filed under [ Transmission| Pennsylvania]

Wind power discussed for county landfill; Worcester OKs feasibility study
June 22, 2011 by Charlene Sharpe in Delmarva Now

The commissioners voted 6-1, with Jim Bunting opposed, to give National Wind the go-ahead to install a meteorological tower at the landfill in Newark and to do an environmental analysis of the site to see if the property would be a viable place for up to a dozen wind turbines.

Also filed under [ General]

Delmarva seeks move of W.Md. wind farm to Pa.
May 25, 2011 in WDEL 1150AM

Shelton says Delmarva is seeking approval to move the project to the Chestnut Flats site in Pennsylvania's Blair County, where an agreement has been reached that should prevent litigation over bats.

Also filed under [ Impact on Wildlife| Impact on Bats| Pennsylvania]

Somerset wind presentation to be held
May 9, 2011 by Liz Holland in Somerset Herald

Somerset County Commissioners expect to be briefed today on efforts by one company to build large-scale wind energy systems on farmland. Officials with Delsea Energy are scheduled to give a presentation.

Also filed under [ General]

Wind power developer requests county easement
April 16, 2011 by Matthew Bieniek in Cumberland Times-News

Because the company is not a pubic utility, it does not have eminent domain rights and must negotiate with landowners, Benson said. The company is also obtaining the necessary Maryland Department of the Environment permits for putting up power lines and boring for the underground line.

Also filed under [ General]

Wind bill for energy killed in committee
April 6, 2011 by David Hill in The Washington Times

Senate committee on Thursday killed a bill backed by Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley to implement offshore wind energy in the state. The Senate Finance Committee announced it will conduct a study this summer on the Offshore Wind Energy Act, ending hope of its passage during the 2011 General Assembly session that ends Monday.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

O'Malley fights to preserve agenda
April 4, 2011 by Julie Bykowicz and Annie Linskey in The Baltimore Sun

Concerns about consumer costs have been the main hang-up with the plan to develop a wind farm off the coast of Ocean City. Construction and maintenance is projected at well over $1 billion. Energy companies would pass that cost on to consumers.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

O'Malley fails to get vote on offshore wind proposal
March 29, 2011 by David Hill in The Washington Times

Mr. OMalley's proposal, which would require utility companies in Maryland to enter into a minimum 20-year wind-energy contract, failed to garner support from either Democrats or Republicans largely because it would increase consumer energy costs.

Also filed under [ Tax Breaks & Subsidies| Energy Policy]

Garrett wind regulation measure dies in state legislature
March 25, 2011 by Matthew Bieniek in Cumberland Times-News

A bill that would have authorized Garrett County commissioners to control the development of wind farms in the county has died in the Maryland General Assembly. Commissioners will continue to look for ways to have some control over wind turbines in the county.

Also filed under [ Zoning/Planning]

Gov. O'Malley proposes amendments to revive offshore wind energy bill
March 24, 2011 by Associated Press in Washington Post

The governor proposed adding a threshold test in which state regulators would kick out proposals projected to raise an average family's electricity bill by more than $2 a month in the first year. The administration anticipates the financial impact will decrease after the first year if fossil fuel prices continue to rise.

Also filed under [ Impact on Economy| Tax Breaks & Subsidies]

Md. offshore wind plan may be delayed, studied 1st
March 23, 2011 by Tom LoBianco in BusinessWeek

"I don't want to see this bill go away, I just think it needs a lot of study, whether they can get it done during this session, I don't know," Middleton said. "Put it this way: I would like to see at minimum a study."

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Md. offshore wind bill may be held up
March 23, 2011 by Nicholas Sohr in Daily Record

Gov. Martin O'Malley's signature piece of energy legislation may be put on hold this year, tripped up by lawmakers' reservations about the cost of guaranteeing a market in Maryland for offshore wind energy.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

MD Senate Committee conflicted over cost of wind energy
March 22, 2011 by Amanda Gaines in 630 WMAL News

"A large number of us on the committee were very concerned that the governor was willing to place this burden on the back of the Maryland ratepayers," Kittleman told WMAL. "Why don't we wait for five years to see if the prices will come down, and then we can enter into a long-term contract if necessary."

Also filed under [ Impact on Economy| Energy Policy]

Shifting Winds: Despite lowered cost estimates, price tag could sink O'Malley energy plan
March 17, 2011 by Margie Hyslop in Maryland Gazette

Although supporters of wind energy say it can help meet the nation's energy needs while reducing dependence on foreign oil and polluting fossil fuels, not even the strongest advocates claim it will come cheaply anytime soon. The projected cost of about 20 cents per kilowatt hour is well off the roughly 13-cent cost that the U.S. Department of Energy has set as a target.

Also filed under [ General]

County studies wind energy; Two companies eye Somerset farmland
March 6, 2011 by Liz Holland in Delmarva Now

While the county enacted an ordinance regulating smaller residential turbines last year, the Planning Commission just started considering commercial operations last week, said Gary Pusey, the county's planning director.

Also filed under [ General]

Questions of costs, jobs and influence surround O'Malley's offshore wind proposal
March 3, 2011 by Aaron C. Davis and Steven Mufson in Washington Post

According to the governor's office, the cost of the subsidy would be spread among all Maryland electric customers in the form of monthly surcharges. The fee has been estimated at $1.44 a month for residential customers, but an analysis pegged the initial fee at $3.61 a month. For the state's largest industrial power users, the surcharges would add up to tens of thousands of dollars a month.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]