The Jan. 31 editorial “Power play” missed the fundamental premise of the offshore-wind bill proposed by Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D): the need to develop “home-grown” energy that provides jobs and economic progress for Marylanders.
The U.S. Energy Department has described offshore wind resources adjacent to Maryland as “outstanding,” stronger than any land-based resource in the nation. A recent report from the University of Delaware calculated that winds off Maryland’s shallow coast could provide 70 percent of the state’s electricity needs — and 189 percent if development spreads to deeper waters.
Harnessing this resource is critical in a state with serious energy challenges. Ninety percent of Maryland’s power comes from coal and nuclear energy. In addition to the lack of fuel diversity and aging plants, supply constraints have increased prices and forced Maryland to import about 30 percent of its electricity.
Marylanders could choose to continue to send ratepayer dollars to other states. Or we could develop our own economy by being early movers on offshore wind and exploiting the state’s traditional strengths in steel fabrication, ports, maritime construction and technology deployment.
Malcolm D. Woolf, Annapolis
The writer is director of the Maryland Energy Administration.
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