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House Appropriations Committee Approves Harris Language to Protect Safe Maritime Travel

July 25, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC: Today, the House Committee on Appropriations is considering the FY19 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) authored, and the committee approved, language urging the United States Coast Guard to "take any and all steps to ensure the navigational safety for maritime traffic off the coast of Maryland." Congressman Harris sponsored this language in response to the Coast Guard's finding that the proposed 86 offshore wind turbines off the coast of Ocean City, MD would pose "unacceptable navigational safety risks." Congressman Harris issued the following statement after the amendment was passed:

"The 86 offshore wind turbines planned off the coast of Ocean City pose serious risks to maritime navigational safety, commercial fishing, and tourism. Federal bureaucrats within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management snubbed the Coast Guard's concerns about this proposal in the past, but legitimate safety risks cannot be ignored. The Coast Guard has cooperated and sought safety first in all discussions of these propose wind turbines, and I am confident the Coast Guard will ensure that these turbines will not be constructed in a region that jeopardizes safe maritime travel."

Issues:Environment