South Bethany Delaware Town Council resolution on offshore wind

A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE PROPOSED OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT AND
THE FENWICK ISLAND STATE PARK EXPANSION BE THOROUGHLY REVIEWED AND
STUDIED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SURROUNDING COASTAL COMMUNITIES

WHEREAS, the South Bethany Town Council (hereafter Council) and its residents have long supported and promoted the well-being and preservation of its natural environment, including its beach, bay, ocean and surrounding ecosystem; and

WHEREAS, the Council recognizes and supports all potential renewable energy resources when constructed in a responsible manner that respects the impacted existing natural environment and invaluable ocean view that is treasured by both citizens and visitors of South Bethany and surrounding Delaware coastal communities; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Government has issued leases that give rights to private companies to construct wind turbines off the coast of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware and Ørsted signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 18, 2019, without consultation or input from Delaware coastal communities; and 

WHEREAS, the Council or other surrounding coastal communities had no knowledge of the MOU prior to October 2019 and were only made aware through communication with the Town of Fenwick Island regarding a public meeting; and

WHEREAS, based on input from its citizens, the Council is opposed to the current proposed wind farm and park plans to bring power cables into Delaware from the wind turbines that will run through Delaware waters, under the beach and Route 1 roadway, by way of an interconnection electrical transmission substation located in the protected coastal wetlands of the Fenwick Island State Park and to provide only the State of Maryland with all future financial and clean energy benefits; and

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware and Ørsted negotiated no future funds for impacts to the coastal towns who will serve as “host” communities in perpetuity in exchange for the forever changed viewshed, impact on the wetlands environment, effect on vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic, and “up to $18 million” to Delaware for specific park amenities with no input from the coastal communities on best use of the funds; and

WHEREAS, such proposed amenities will greatly increase the traffic flow through the town of South Bethany and other surrounding coastal communities with no consideration given to the funneling of eastbound traffic’s impact on the Cat Hill section of South Bethany and other roads such as Kent Avenue, Jefferson Bridge, Route 26 and Route 1;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of South Bethany that it is critical that the proposed offshore wind project and the Fenwick Island State Park expansion be thoroughly reviewed and studied in partnership with surrounding coastal communities to ensure environmental preservation and that it is in the best interest of the citizens and the many visitors who contribute to the over $3.5 billion dollars in Delaware tourism. The Council strongly requests participation into any future decisions regarding the park plans, substation power grid, the location and size of windfarm turbines, and impact on traffic within the surrounding coastal communities. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution shall be sent to the Governor of the State of Delaware and to our Federal and State Representatives as well as all members of the Sussex County Council.