Congressman Harris Applauds EPA Finding of Offshore Wind Permit Error

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) determination that the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) improperly issued its final permit decision for the U.S. Wind offshore wind project off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland.

In a letter issued to MDE Secretary Serena McIlwain, the EPA outlined multiple legal errors in the agency’s approval of the US Wind permit, including providing misleading information about the public’s right to appeal under federal law. The EPA is now requiring MDE to reissue the permit in accordance with proper federal procedures, a move that if left uncorrected, could lead to the invalidation of the permit on appeal.

Statement From Congressman Harris:

“The EPA has confirmed what many of us knew for years — this project was approved with glaring procedural and legal flaws. The Maryland Department of the Environment had no business directing the public to appeal a federal permit to a state court, and such a decision showed both incompetence and a disregard for public input from my affected constituents in Worcester County. For many years, my constituents across the First Congressional District have been overwhelmingly clear: they do not want offshore wind off their coast. This ruling is a major victory for the Eastern Shore, the environment, and our local economies that are existentially threatened by this project.”

The EPA letter can be read HERE.
For media inquiries, please contact Anna Adamian at Anna.A@mail.house.gov