Harris Statement on State Reconsideration of Offshore Wind Projects

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) responded to today's decision by the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) granting Ocean City's petition to reconsider the U.S. Wind and Skipjack offshore wind projects. The PSC will reconsider the use of Maryland taxpayer subsidies for the projects.

Congressman Harris made the following statement:

"The view of dozens of giant wind turbines in these proposed projects from the beach in Ocean City undermines our local economy. I commend the decision of the Maryland Public Service Commission to reconsider spending tax dollars of hard-working Marylanders to pay subsidies for both the US Wind and Skipjack offshore wind projects. Both of these projects, developed by foreign companies, now include proposals to install giant 853 foot tall wind turbines off Maryland's coast – windmills that are nearly three times taller than those originally proposed and originally approved several years ago by the Commission. I share the concerns of the residents of Ocean City, which in addition to having to see larger unsightly towers with their flashing red aviation warning lights, also include negative effects on fishing, marine safety, tourism, and property values. These projects as now proposed with much larger windmills need to be stopped until all the local concerns can be dealt with, if that is even possible.