Wind Energy Act Letter

Dear Senator Jim Mathias and Delegates Norm Conway and Michael McDermott,

As the Executive Director of Assateague Coastal Trust, in Berlin, MD, I am writing to thank Senator Mathias and Delegate Conway for your sponsorship of  HB1054/SB861, the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act, and urge Delegate McDermott to support the bill.

The Board of Directors of the Assateague Coastal Trust have taken the position that offshore wind development, properly regulated, is necessary on the Delmarva Peninsula in order to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels, decrease our dependence on coal burning energy plants, and move forward to a more sustainable future.

The Coastal Bays watershed is already facing impacts from sea level rise and by switching to more sustainable energy sources, such as offshore wind farms, we will help protect this watershed for future generations.

The Maryland Energy Administration estimates that a transition to wind generated electricity will cost homes $1.44 a month starting in 2016 decreasing over time. We question the cost statistics being quoted by oil and coal industry lobbyists as dubious, at the very least.

Delaying this bill another year will only increase the costs of offshore wind development. It is time for Maryland to stop finding excuses and move forward, for the sake of our communities and our natural resources.

We thank Senator Mathias and Delegate Conway for your leadership and urge Delegate McDermott to vote favorably on HB1054/SB861 the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act.

Respectfully,

Kathy Phillips, Executive Director

Assateague Coastal Trust, Inc.,
Berlin, MD